Flexure Behavior of Self Compacting Concrete Beams Reinforced With B500DWR Rebars and Strengthened Using CFRP

Abstract

The use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites for external strengthening of R. C. beams has been accepted as a practical and viable technology in materials and structural engineering. Nowadays, the local steel producers introducing high strength rebar “steel grade B500DWR” according to ES 262-2 /2015 as a new product for local market.

This paper presents results obtained from an experimental investigation of self-compacting concrete beams reinforced with B500DWR rebar and strengthened in flexure using CFRP. Five rectangular beams of cross section of size 100×250 mm. and a length of 2000 mm. were cast and tested under four-point bending. One beam was used as a control beam without external strengthening, while the other four beams were strengthened in flexure using CFRP with different shape and density. The used CFRP led to an increase in the load carrying capacity but, the deflection ductility as well as the energy ductility were decreased. The investigation results are presented in terms of ultimate load, deflection, tensile and compressive strains, and cracking pattern.

It could be concluded that the use of CFRP fabrics in strengthening self compacting concrete beams reinforced with B500DWR rebars increases load carrying capacity, decreases displacement ductility index and energy ductility. Whoever, the mode of failure of strengthened beams was changed. The failure load for strengthened self compacting concrete beams ranged from 115% to 164% as that of control beam.