Effects of Thickness of Ultra High-Performance Fiber Concrete Wrapping on the Torsional Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beam

Two groups of rectangular beams, comprising of six specimens, the first group (L) were provided with four longitudinal bars, one at each corner while the second groups of beams (S) were fully reinforced with longitudinal bars and transverse reinforcement. Each group consisted of three beams. Two beams have been strengthened with ultra high performance fiber concrete (UHPFC) on four sides having a thickness of (15mm - 25mm) and one control beam. The variables considered in the experimental study include the transverse reinforcement ratios and the effect of thickness of UHPFC wrap. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed technique at ultimate torque for strengthening beams and behavioral curves. Strengthened RC beams fully wrapped with a thin layer of UHPFC exhibit an enhanced torsional strength when compared to control beam. Results reveal that the transverse reinforcement ratios by 0.66%, increases the UHPFC contribution to torsional strength of strengthened beams with a 15 thick UHPFC; and by up to 7% for strengthened beams with a 25 thick UHPFC, respectively when compared to same strengthened beams without stirrup. It is found that the ultimate torque of beams with a 25 mm thin layer UHPFC is greater than beams with 15 mm by (28% and 28.3%) for the groups L and S, respectively.