• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.135-156
• /
• 2007

Three 3D nonlinear finite-element models are developed to study the behavior of concrete beams and plates with and without external reinforcement by fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP). All three models are formulated based upon the 3D theory of elasticity. The stress model is modified from the element developed by Ramtekkar, et al. (2002) to incorporate material nonlinearity in the formulation. Both transverse stress and displacement components are used as nodal degrees-of-freedom to ensure the continuity of both stress and displacement components between the elements. The displacement model uses only displacement components as nodal degrees-of-freedom. The transition model has both stress and displacement components as nodal degrees-of-freedom on one surface, and only displacement components as nodal degrees-of-freedom on the opposite surface. The transition model serves as a connector between the stress and the displacement models. The developed models are validated by comparing the results of the analyses with an existing experimental result. Parametric studies of the effects of the externally reinforced FRP on the load capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and concrete plates are performed to demonstrate the practicality and the efficiency of the proposed models.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.35-48
• /
• 2020

This paper deals with a comparative study among three different rehabilitation techniques, namely, (i) carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), (ii) glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) and (iii) ferrocement on the flexural strengthening of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) beams. As these different techniques have to be compared on a level playing field, tensile coupon tests have been carried out initially for GFRP, CFRP and ferrocement and the number of layers required in each of these composites in terms of the tensile strength. It was found that for the selected constituents of the composites, one layer of CFRP was equivalent to three layers of GFRP and five layers of wiremesh reinforcement in ferrocement. Rehabilitation of RCC beams using these equivalent laminates shows that all the three composites performed in a similar way and are comparable. The parameters selected in this study were (i) the strengthening material and (ii) the level of pre-distress induced to the beams prior to the rehabilitation. It was noticed that, as the levels of pre-distress decreases, the percentage attainment of flexural capacity and flexural stiffness of the rehabilitated beams increases for all the three selected composites used for rehabilitation. Load-deflection behavior, failure modes, energy absorption capacity, displacement ductility and curvature ductility were compared among these composites and at different distress levels for each composite. The results indicate that ferrocement showed a better performance in terms of ductility than other FRPs, and between the FRPs, GFRP exhibited a better ductility than the CFRP counterpart.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.429-440
• /
• 2002

Current dental restorations present a relatively weak resistance to fracture. Owing to their unique mechanical properties, fibre-reinforced polymers are now being considered. Unidirectional or woven continuous fibres, made of glass, polyethylene, carbon or Kevlar, have been evaluated. This study focused on the use of glass fibre knitted fabrics to reinforce acrylate resins, in order to investigate the possibility to construct single crowns as well as three unit bridges. Some points affecting the final composite system were tested ; 1) static strength, with focus on the stress transfer under a occlusal contact point ; 2) modelling of a three nit bridge ; 3) fatigue strength as a posterior three unit bridge material. The study demonstrated that knitted fabric reinforcements are showing an interesting compromise between stiffness, static strength for single crown. For three unit bridge applications in the posterior arch, however knitted glass fabric reinforcements were not strong enough in fatigue An additional reinforcement in the posterior arch fixed partial denture design was recommended.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.81-100
• /
• 2006

To calculate the shear capacity of concrete beams reinforced with fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), current shear design provisions use slightly modified versions of existing semi-empirical shear design equations that were primarily derived from experimental data generated on concrete beams having steel reinforcement. However, FRP materials have different mechanical properties and mode of failure than steel, and extending existing shear design equations for steel reinforced beams to cover concrete beams reinforced with FRP is questionable. This paper investigates the feasibility of using artificial neural networks (ANNs) to estimate the nominal shear capacity, Vn of concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars. Experimental data on 150 FRP-reinforced beams were retrieved from published literature. The resulting database was used to evaluate the validity of several existing shear design methods for FRP reinforced beams, namely the ACI 440-03, CSA S806-02, JSCE-97, and ISIS Canada-01. The database was also used to develop an ANN model to predict the shear capacity of FRP reinforced concrete beams. Results show that current guidelines are either inadequate or very conservative in estimating the shear strength of FRP reinforced concrete beams. Based on ANN predictions, modified equations are proposed for the shear design of FRP reinforced concrete beams and proved to be more accurate than existing equations.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 2020

In this study eleven beam of steel fibre-reinforced concrete were tested on concentrated load in order to evaluate the shear strength and deformation of the beams after burning. Variables considered in the test include spaces of shear reinforcement (stirrups) and temperature (normal temperature at 38℃, 300℃, 600℃ and 900℃). The steel fiber used is set at 0.5% of the concrete volume. The phenomenon of the test results shows that although the beams were tested to achieve shear failure, the fact that all the tested beams did not encounter any shear failure. It has shown the influence of steel fibers and stirrups that plays a role in determining the mode of collapse. The concrete shear capacity of steel fibrous concrete beams installed with stirrups in altered spacing variations is not significantly different from each other, while beam deformability increases when the space stirrups are reduced. Furthermore, models of the developed-steel fibrous shear strength are compared and discussed with experimental results.

• Advances in Computational Design
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.253-264
• /
• 2016

Based on the variation of strain along the cross section, any region in a structural member can be classified into two regions namely, Bernoulli's region (B-region) and Disturbed region (D-region). Since the variation of strain along the cross section for a B-region is linear, well-developed theories are available for their analysis and design. On the other hand, the design of D-region is carried out based on thumb rules and past experience due to the presence of nonlinear strain distribution. Strut-and-Tie method is a novel approach that can be used for the analysis and design of both B-region as well as D-region with equal importance. The strut efficiency factor (${\beta}_s$) is needed for the design and analysis of concrete members using Strut and Tie method. In this paper, equations for finding ${\beta}_s$ for bottle shaped struts in concrete deep beams (a D-region) with and without steel fibres are developed. The effects of transverse reinforcement on ${\beta}_s$ are also considered. Numerical studies using commercially available finite element software along with limited amount of experimental studies were used to find ${\beta}_s$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
• /
• 1995.03a
• /
• pp.1-26
• /
• 1995

Key aspects of the Norwegian Method of Tunnelling (NMT) are reviewed. These include a predictive method of support design using the six-parameter Q-system of rock mass characterisation. The rock mass rating or Q-value is updated during tunnel driving. The designed tunnel support generally consists of wet process, steel fibre reinforced shotcrete combined with fully grouted, untensioned rock bolts, Even in poor rock conditions S(fr) + B usually acts as the final rock reinforcement and tunnel lining. Since it is a drained lining, it is very economic compared to cast concrete with membranes. Light, free-standing steel liners are used to prevent water affecting the runnel environment. Rock mass conditions, and hence lining design and cost estimation can be assessed by careful use of seismic surveys. Relationships between the P-wave velocity, the rock mass deformation modulus and the Q-value have recently been established, where tunnel depth, rock porosity and the uniaxial compression strength of the rock are important variables. The rock mass modulus estimate, and simple index testing of the joints, provide the key input which joints are discretely represented (either in two dimensions with the UDEC code or in three dimensions with the 3DEC code) is generally favoured compared to continuum analysis. The latter may give a misleading impression of uniformity and deformations tend to be understimated. Q-system NMT designs of S(fr) + B (fibre reinforced shotcrete and bolting) are numerically checked and adjustments made to bolt capacities and shotcrete thickness if overloading is evident around the modelled profile.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.369-382
• /
• 2020

This paper presents a discussion of the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) when applied for the analysis of concrete elements reinforced with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. The purpose of such nonlinear FEA model development is to create a tool that can be used for numerical parametric studies which can be used to extend the existing (and limited) experiment database. The presented research focuses on the numerical analyses of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP longitudinal and shear reinforcements. FEA of concrete members reinforced with linear elastic brittle reinforcements (like GFRP) presents unique challenges when compared to the analysis of members reinforced with plastic (steel) reinforcements, which are discussed in the paper. Specifically, the behaviour and failure of GFRP reinforced members are strongly influenced by the compressive response of concrete and thus modelling of concrete behaviour is essential for proper analysis. FEA was performed using the commercial software ABAQUS. A damaged-plasticity model was utilized to simulate the concrete behaviour. The influence of tension, compression, dilatancy, mesh, and reinforcement modelling was studied to replicate experimental test data of beams previously tested at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Recommendations for the finite element modelling of beams reinforced with GFRP longitudinal and shear reinforcements are offered. The knowledge gained from this research allows for the development of a rational methodology for modelling GFRP reinforced concrete beams, which subsequently can be used for extensive parametric studies and the formation of informed recommendations to design standards.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.75-98
• /
• 2013

This study focuses on shear strengthening performance of simply supported reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams bonded by glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips in different configuration, orientations and transverse steel reinforcement in different spacing. Eighteen RC T-beams of 2.5 m span are tested. Nine beams are used as control beam. The stirrups are provided in three different spacing such as without stirrups and with stirrups at a spacing of 200 mm and 300 mm. Another nine beams are used as strengthened beams. GFRP strips are bonded in shear zone in U-shape and side shape with two types of orientation of the strip at $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ to the longitudinal axis of the beam for each type of stirrup spacing. The experimental result indicates that the beam strengthened with GFRP strips at $45^{\circ}$ orientation to the longitudinal axis of the beam are much more effective than $90^{\circ}$ orientation. Also as transverse steel increases, the effectiveness of the GFRP strips decreases.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.563-582
• /
• 2021

The present study experimentally and analytically investigated the push-out behaviour of H-shaped steel section embedded in ultrahigh-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). The effect of significant parameters such as the concrete types, fibre content, embedded steel length, transverse reinforcement ratio and concrete cover on the bond stress, development of bond stress along the embedded length and failure mechanism has been reported. The test results show that the bond slip behaviour of steel-UHPFRC is different from the bond slip behaviour of steel-normal concrete and steel-high strength concrete. The bond-slip curves of steel-normal concrete and steel-high strength concrete exhibit brittle behaviour, and the bond strength decreases rapidly after reaching the peak load, with a residual bond strength of approximately one-half of the peak bond strength. The bond-slip curves of steel-UHPFRC show an obvious ductility, which exhibits a unique displacement pseudoplastic effect. The residual bond strength can still reach from 80% to 90% of the peak bond strength. Compared to steel-normal concrete, the transverse confinement of stirrups has a limited effect on the bond strength in the steel-UHPFRC substrate, but a higher stirrup ratio can improve cracking resistance. The experimental campaign quantifies the local bond stress development and finds that the strain distribution in steel follows an exponential rule along the steel embedded length. Based on the theory of mean bond and local bond stress, the present study proposes empirical approaches to predict the ultimate and residual bond resistance with satisfactory precision. The research findings serve to explain the interface bond mechanism between UHPFRC and steel, which is significant for the design of steel-UHPFRC composite structures and verify the feasibility of eliminating longitudinal rebars and stirrups by using UHPFRC in composite columns.