• Computers and Concrete
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.533-547
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• 2021

Calculating the shear capacity of slender reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement was the subject of numerous studies, where the eternal problem of developing a single relationship that will be able to predict the expected shear capacity is still present. Using experimental results to extrapolate formulae was so far the main approach for solving this problem, whereas in the last two decades different research studies attempted to use artificial intelligence algorithms and available data sets of experimentally tested beams to develop new models that would demonstrate improved prediction capabilities. Given the limited number of available experimental databases, these studies were numerically restrained, unable to holistically address this problem. In this manuscript, a new approach is proposed where a numerically generated database is used to train machine-learning algorithms and develop an improved model for predicting the shear capacity of slender concrete beams reinforced only with longitudinal rebars. Finally, the proposed predictive model was validated through the use of an available ACI database that was developed by using experimental results on physical reinforced concrete beam specimens without shear and compressive reinforcement. For the first time, a numerically generated database was used to train a model for computing the shear capacity of slender concrete beams without stirrups and was found to have improved predictive abilities compared to the corresponding ACI equations. According to the analysis performed in this research work, it is deemed necessary to further enrich the current numerically generated database with additional data to further improve the dataset used for training and extrapolation. Finally, future research work foresees the study of beams with stirrups and deep beams for the development of improved predictive models.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.3 no.2_3
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• pp.145-161
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• 2006

This article involves architecting prototype-fuzzy expert system for designing the nominal cover thickness by means of fuzzy inference for quantitatively representing the environment affecting factor to reinforced concrete in chloride-induced corrosion environment. In this work, nominal cover thickness to reinforcement in concrete was determined by the sum of minimum cover thickness and tolerance to that defined from skill level, constructability and the significance of member. Several variables defining the quality of concrete and environment affecting factor (EAF) including relative humidity, temperature, cyclic wet and dry, and the distance from coast were treated as fuzzy variables. To qualify EAF the environment conditions of cycle degree of wet-dry, relative humidity, distance from coast and temperature were used as input variables. To determine the nominal cover thickness a qualified EAF, concrete grade, and watercement ratio were used. The membership functions of each fuzzy variable were generated from the engineering knowledge and intuition based on some references as well as some international codes of practice.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.397-406
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• 2017

The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) for torsional strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) single cell box beams has been analyzed considerably by researchers worldwide. However, little attention has been paid to torsional strengthening of multicell box girders in terms of both experimental and numerical research. This paper reports the experimental work in an overall investigation for torsional strengthening of multicell box section RC girders with externally-bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer CFRP strips. Numerical work was carried out using non-linear finite element modeling (FEM). Good agreement in terms of torque-twist behavior, steel and CFRP reinforcement responses, and crack patterns was achieved. The unique failure modes of all the specimens were modeled correctly as well.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.625-638
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• 2017

The flexural behavior of Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets has gained much research interest in the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete beams. The study on flexure includes various parameters like increase in strength of the member due to the externally bonded (EB) Fiber reinforced polymer, crack patterns, debonding of the fiber from the structure, scaling, convenience of using the fibers, cost effectiveness, etc. The present work aims to study experimentally about the reasons behind the failure due to flexure of an externally bonded FRP concrete beam. In the design of FRP-reinforced concrete structures, deflection control is as critical as much as flexural strength. A numerical model is created using Finite element (FEM) software and the results are compared with that of the experiment.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.63-68
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• 2001

It is now common practice to strengthen reinforced concrete beams by steel plates to their tention surfaces. Such plated beams are designed for flexure using conventional prediction equation and assumption that full bond will be developed between the concrete and the plates. Very advanced design rules have already been developed at the University of Adelaide for adhesive bonding steel plates to reinforced concrete beams in order to prevent premature debonding. This work on plated continuous reinforced concrete beams is to determine experimentally whether these design rules, that were developed for steel plated simply supported beams, could be applied to steel and FRP plated continuous beams. This paper also suggests how to increase the ductility of plated beams.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2017

An experimental work was carried out to study the effect of hybrid fiber on the tension stiffening and cracking characteristics of geopolymer concrete (GPC). A total of 24 concentrically reinforced concrete specimens were cast and tested under uniaxial tension. The grade of concrete considered was M40. The variables mainly consist of the volume fraction of crimped steel fibers (0.5 and 1.0%) and basalt fibers (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%). The load deformation response was recorded using LVDT's. At all the stages of loading after the first cracking, crack width and crack spacing were measured. The addition of fibers in hybrid form significantly improved the tension stiffening effect. In this study, the combination of 0.5% steel fiber and 0.2% basalt fiber gave a better comparison than the other combinations.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.79-88
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• 1999

The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical expression for computing crack angles based on reinforcement volumes in the longitudinal and transverse directions, member end-fixity and length-to-width aspect ratio. For this a reinforced concrete beam-column element is assumed to possess a series of potential crack planes represented by a number of differential truss elements. Depending on the boundary condition, a constant angle truss or a variable angle truss is employed to model the cracked structural concrete member. The truss models are then analyzed using the virtual work method of analysis to relate forces and deformations. Rigorous and simplified solution schemes are presented. An equation to estimate the theoretical crack angle is derived by considering the energy minimization on the virtual work done over both the shear and flexural components the energy minimization on the virtual work done over both the shear and flexural components of truss models. The crack angle in this study is defined as the steepest one among fan-shaped angles measured from the longitudinal axis of the member to the diagonal crack. The theoretical crack angle predictions are validated against experimentally observed crack angle reported by previous researchers in the literature. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.61-64
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• 2004

This study presents results from an experimental work for two normal prestressed concrete beams and three dual prestressed concrete beams. The dual prestressed concrete beams made with normal concrete in compression zone and high performance steel fiber reinforced concrete in partial depth of tension zone. Through cyclic loading test under low frequency, structural behavior and resistance to dynamic loading for dual prestressed concrete beams are investigated. Considerable increase of crack and yield load capacity of Dual prestressed concrete beam is shown compared with normal prestressed concrete beam. In addition, re-loading and un-loading rigidity of dual prestressed concrete beam under cyclic loading are increased comparing with normal prestressed concrete beam.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.89-96
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• 1991

The maintenance techniques of reinforced concrete structures, which include diagnosis, repair and rehabilit¬ation, are not systematically establishtxL This study develops an expert system for maintenance of reinforced concrete structures based on the related documents and knowledge and experience of experts who work in these field. The analytical results using the developed expert system were compared to the real repair cases in field and they were generally satisfactory.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.75-80
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• 2001

This paper investigates the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with externally bonded fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) sheets is investigated in this work. FRP is attractive for strengthening the RC beams due to its good tensile strength, low weight, resistance to corrosion, and easy applicability. A simple and direct analytical procedure for evaluating the ultimate flexural capacity of FRP strengthened reinforced concrete (SRC) beams is presented using the equilibrium equations and compatibility of strains. Upper and lower limits of FRP sheet area to ensure the ductile behavior are established. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of design variables such as sheet area, sheet stiffness and strength, concrete compression strength, and steel reinforcement ratio. The analytical procedure is compared with results of experimental data available in the literature.