Ductility Estimation of Concrete Beams Longitudinally Reinforced with Hybrid FRP-Steel Bars

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the ductility of reinforced concrete beams longitudinally reinforced with hybrid FRP-Steel bars. The specimens were fourteen reinforced concrete beams with and without hybrid reinforcement. The test variables were bars position, the ratio of longitudinal reinforcement, and the type of FRP bars. The beams were loaded up to failure using a four-point bending test. The performance of the tested beams was observed using the load-deflection curve obtained from the test. Numerical analysis using the fiber element model was used to examine the growth of neutral axis depth due to the effect of test variables. The neutral axis curves were then used to further estimate the neutral axis angle and neutral axis displacement index. The test results show that the position of the reinforcement greatly influences the flexural behavior of the beam with hybrid reinforcement. It was observed from the test that the flexural capacity of beams with hybrid reinforcement is 4% to 50% higher than that of the beams with conventional steel bars depending on bars position and the ratio of longitudinal reinforcement. The ductility decreases as the hybrid reinforcement ratio (Af/As) increases. This study also showed that a numerical model developed can predict the flexural behavior of beams with hybrid reinforcement with reasonable accuracy.

Background to the Monolithicity Factors for the Assessment of Jacketed Reinforced Concrete Columns

The paper presents the background to the expressions adopted in the new Eurocode 8—3 for jacketed reinforced concrete columns. These are based on the commonly adopted concept of monolithicity factors (ratios of resistance of the jacketed section to that of an identical monolithic one). These factors are derived here in two ways: (i) by fitting experimental results for jacketed columns and (ii) by an extended parametric study of substandard reinforced concrete (R/C) members that were retrofitted by adding R/C jackets, analysed using a model developed by the authors that takes into account slip at the interface. Apart from the cross-section geometry and the thickness of the jacket, parameters of the investigation were the material properties of the core cross-section and the jacket, as well as the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement of the jacket and the percentage of dowels placed to connect the existing member to the jacket. It was found that the parameter that had the most visible effect on these factors was the normalised axial load (ν). The finally adopted factors are either simple functions of ν or constant values.

Experimental analysis of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams in shear

Some normative recommendations are conservative in relation to the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams, not directly considering the longitudinal reinforcement rate. An experimental program containing 8 beams of (100 x 250) mm2 and a length of 1,200 mm was carried out. The concrete compression strength was 20 MPa with and without 1.00% of steel fiber addition, without stirrups and varying the longitudinal reinforcement ratio. Comparisons between experimental failure loads and main design codes estimates were assessed. The results showed that the increase of the longitudinal reinforcement ratio from 0.87% to 2.14% in beams without steel fiber led to an improvement of 59% in shear strength caused by the dowel effect, while the corresponding improvement was of only 22% in fibered concrete beams. A maximum gain of 109% in shear strength was observed with the addition of 1% of steel fibers comparing beams with the same longitudinal reinforcement ratio (1.2%). A significant amount of shear strength was provided by the inclusion of the steel fibers and allowed controlling the propagation of cracks by the effect of stress transfer bridges, transforming the brittle shear mechanism into a ductile flexural one. From this, it is clear the shear benefit of the steel fiber addition when associated to the longitudinal reinforcement and optimal values for this relationship would improve results.

Experimental Study on Shear Behavior of Reactive Powder Concrete Beam

In order to study the shear behavior of high-strength reinforced Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) beams, eight test beams were designed and fabricated for the shear test under symmetrical concentrated load. By observing the development and failure mode of diagonal cracks, the influence of shear span ratio, stirrup ratio, and longitudinal reinforcement ratio on the cracking load, shear capacity, and deflection of the test beam is analyzed. The results show that: in a specific range, the shear capacity increases with the increase of stirrup ratio and longitudinal reinforcement ratio and decreases with the increase of shear span ratio. The shear span ratio has the most significant influence on the component’s failure mode and deformation capacity. The increase of the stirrup ratio can improve the deformation capacity of the component in a specific range. It is conservative to use the code to design concrete structures to calculate the shear capacity of high-strength reinforced reactive powder concrete beams. It is suggested that the shear calculation formula suitable for high-strength reinforced reactive powder concrete should be adopted to make the theoretical calculation results closer to the measured values.

Optimized Spacing Of The Longitudinal Reinforcement In CRCP To Avoid Horizontal Cracking

Continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) is characterized by the absence of transverse contraction joints and the presence of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement. The continuous longitudinal reinforcement holds the transverse cracks, caused by the longitudinal shrinkage of concrete, tightly together and thus provides long term performance with minimal maintenance cost. Field investigations on recently constructed CRCP's in Flanders region of Belgium indicated horizontal cracking in the vicinity of the longitudinal reinforcement under the transverse cracks which eventually causes the punch-out distress at the edge of the pavement slab. This paper shows the results of a finite element (FE) study to investigate the effect of varying longitudinal reinforcement on the risk of horizontal cracking in CRCP under typical Flanders conditions. For this purpose, a (3D) FE model of CRCP is developed using a FE package Diana 10.2. The varying longitudinal reinforcement with a most narrow spacing of 125mm in the outer region of the pavement slab is applied while keeping the same CRCP reinforcement ratio. A comparison is made with the conventional longitudinal reinforcement spacing (170mm). Development of concrete stress in the vicinity of the longitudinal reinforcement is plotted against the different longitudinal steel spacing. Findings show that the stress in concrete near longitudinal reinforcement is significantly reduced up to maximum 17% when the narrow spacing is used. In addition, the steel stress in the longitudinal reinforcing is reduced up to maximum 31.75% in the outer region of the pavement slab.

NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE PUNCHING SHEAR MECHANISM FOR THIN AND THICK REINFORCED CONCRETE SLABS

The assessment of the punching shear capacity for reinforced concrete slabs, carried out according to the regulatorydocuments of a number of countries, leads to significantly various results. At the same time, the results of thecalculated forecast may have great differences from the experimental data. A great influence on the accuracy of the resultsof the calculated forecast is exerted by the thickness of the examined slabs, as well as the value of longitudinal reinforcement.These parameters determine the features of the mechanisms of destruction of slabs in case of the punching shearmechanism, as indicated by individual interpretations of the results of experimental studies. In order to determine thefeatures of the punching shear mechanism of reinforced concrete slabs of various thicknesses, numerical studies of theprocess of cracking and destruction of slabs of different thicknesses have been performed. Differences in the mechanismof formation and development of cracks in thin and thick slabs are revealed. The paper shows that the behavior of thinand thick slabs has qualitative distinctions at the initial stages of formation and development of the cracks leading todestruction. The authors have also shown the difference between stress-strain state of thick and thin slabs before destruction.In conclusion, it was established that the influence of longitudinal reinforcement on the strength during punching inthick slabs is much less than in thin ones.When evaluating the punching shear capacity of reinforced concrete slabs, the regulatory documents of different countries give significantly different results. In this case, the calculation results may differ significantly from the experimental data. The deterioration of the thickness of the calculated slabs, as well as the value of the longitudinal reinforcement has a great influence on the accuracy of the calculation results. These parameters determine the features of the destruction mechanisms of slabs under punching. This fact is indicated by some interpretations of the results of experimental studies. In order to establish the peculiarities of the punching shear mechanism of reinforced concrete slabs of different thicknesses, a numerical investigation of the cracking and destruction of slabs of different thicknesses have been performed. Differences in the mechanism of formation and development of cracks in thin and thick slabs have been revealed. The paper shows that the behavior of thin and thick slabs has qualitative differences at the initial stages of the cracks formation and development that leads to destruction. The difference between stress-strain state of thick and thin slabs before breaking have been shown. It was found that the effect of longitudinal reinforcement on the punching shear strength in thick slabs is much less than in thin ones.

Study on the Seismic Performance of Prefabricated Single-Segment Steel Jacket Bridge Piers

To study the seismic performance of prefabricated single-segment steel jacket piers connected by grouting sleeves, two scaled symmetrical pier models with different anchorage lengths of the longitudinal reinforcement in the grouting sleeves and a comparative symmetrical cast-in-place (CIP) model were designed. OpenSees finite element models were established and shaking table tests were carried out on the three scaled pier models. The seismic response of each pier was compared and analyzed. Results showed the stiffness of the two prefabricated piers was greater than that of the CIP pier, and other seismic responses were less than those of the CIP piers, The dynamic responses of the two prefabricated bridge models were similar and changing the anchorage length of the reinforcement in the grouting sleeve had little effect on the seismic performance of the prefabricated pier. The simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental results. In the parameter analysis, the counterweight of the pier top had the greatest influence on the seismic performance of the prefabricated pier. The anchorage length of the longitudinal reinforcement in the grouting sleeve could be 6–14 times the diameter of the longitudinal reinforcement. Moreover, the seismic performance was found to be optimal when the thickness of the steel jacket was 5–7 mm.

Numerical analysis of RC columns under cyclic uniaxial and biaxial lateral load

A numerical finite element study is conducted in this paper to examine structural behaviour of high strength RC columns exposed to biaxial and uniaxial lateral displacement histories with constant axial load. The numerical analysis of 24 models was made using ABAQUS / CAE. The comparison between numerical analysis and experimental results shows good agreement through validations. The considered parametric study involves determination of the longitudinal reinforcement ratio, total cross-sectional area of confinement steel (Ash), and uniaxial and biaxial cyclic shear load. Numerical analysis results show that an increase of longitudinal reinforcement for a uniaxial and biaxial lateral historic load will significantly increase maximum and ultimate load of columns, corresponding deflections, number of cycles at maximum and ultimate loads, and initial stiffness Ki, while the effect of transverse reinforcement is less pronounced. The columns load and deformation capacity decreases significantly with application of biaxial cyclic shear load, compared with uniaxial load. Also, this effect reduces with an increase in longitudinal reinforcement ratio (%ρl) and Ash.