11 / 2022-02-28 11:39:00

Flexural Behaviour of Corroded RC Continuous Beams with C-FRCM Strengthening System

Carbon-fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (C-FRCM), Continuous beam, Finite element analysis (FEA), Interface performance, U-shaped wrapping

This paper presents a numerical investigation into the flexural behaviour of uncorroded and corroded reinforced concrete (RC) continuous beams with a strengthening system. Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on ten RC beams considering interface performance, including five uncorroded beams and five corroded beams. The cracks development, flexural capacities and load-displacement curves of the RC beams in the loading process were validated against those from tests. Then, a parametric study including 35 RC beam models, considering the effects of carbon-fabric (CF) mesh layer, U-shaped wrapping layer and the degree of corrosion of steel bar on their flexural capacities, was conducted. Failure modes, ductility and strengthening effects of specimens were discussed in the parametric study. It can be found that the carbon-fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (C-FRCM) strengthening system can improve the flexural capacities of the corroded RC beams. As the layer of CF mesh increases, the ductility of the specimen decreases. The combined use of the C-FRCM plate and the U-shaped wrapping as the end anchorage enhanced the ultimate loads of RC beams to a greater extent than those strengthened with C-FRCM plate only. The applicability of current design codes for RC beams with C-FRCM strengthening system was examined through comparisons of the flexural capacity predictions of RC beams with those obtained from tests and numerical analyses. It was found that European Code FIB Bulletin 14 provides more accurate predictions than American specifications ACI 549.4R-13, AC 434-0616-R1, ACI 440.2R-08 and Chinese code CECS 146-2003 (2007). Therefore, design modifications based on the most accurate design rule of FIB Bulletin 14 were made. Through utilising regression analysis on the numerical results, formula for flexural capacities of the examined RC beams was proposed and shown improved accuracy.