• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 1993

The punching shear strength of concrete flat plates is one of the topics of intensive research in recent years by various concrete structures researchers. This paper reviews four current methods of analysing the punching shear strength at the corner-and edge-column positions of reinforced concrete flat plates. They include those recommended in the Australian Standard AS3600-1988, the American Concrete Institute ACI318-89 and the British Standard on Concrete Practices (BS8110) as well as the approach developed at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Based on half-scale model test results, a comparative study of these four analysis methods is made with regard to their limitation, accuracy and reliability. It is found that the Wollongong approach in general gives the best performance in predicting the punching shear strength of flat plates with torsion strips and those with spandrel beams. The Australian Standard procedure performs just as satisfactorily for flat plates with torsion strips but tends to be unsafe for those with spandrel beams. Both the ACI and the British methods are applicable only to flat plates with torsion strips; they also tend to give unsafe predictions for the punching shear strength.

• 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.9 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Retrofitting is an alteration of existing member or component of the structure. In civil engineering point of view, it is called strengthening of the old structure. Deterioration of structures may be due to aging, corrosion, failure of joints, earthquake forces, increase in service loads, etc. Such structures need urgent repair, retrofitting and strengthening to avoid collapse, cracking and loss in strength or deflection. Advanced techniques are required to be developed for the repair of structural components to replace conventional techniques. This paper focuses exclusively on torsional behaviour of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams and retrofitted RC beams wrapped with aramid fiber. Beams were retrofitted with aramid fiber by full wrapping and in the form of 150 mm wide strips at a spacing of 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm respectively using epoxy resin and hardener. A total 15 numbers of RC beams of 150 mm×300 mm×1300 mm in size were cast, 3 beams are tested as control specimens, and 12 beams are tested for torsion up to the failure and then retrofitted with aramid fiber. Experimental results are validated with the help of data obtained by finite element analysis using ANSYS. The full wrapping configuration of aramid fiber regains 105% strength after retrofitting. With the increase in spacing of fabric material, torsional strength reduces to 82% with about 45% saving in material.