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Composite Systems for Strengthening and Rehabilitation of Concrete and Masonry Structures

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2023) | Viewed by 36408

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Interests: characterization of composite materials; advanced cement-based materials; retrofitting and strengthening buildings with composite materials; sustainable composite materials
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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science Engineering (DICII) - Tunneling Engineering Research Centre (TERC), University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: composites; FRP reinforcing bars; tunnel; FRC (fiber reinforced concrete); concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of alternative techniques for the strengthening and rehabilitation of concrete and masonry structures is of critical importance to the safety and preservation of the world’s civil infrastructures. Composite materials are playing an increasingly important role in this context, because of their many advantages over steel and other conventional materials.

In particular, composite materials include both organic-based systems, such as FRP (fiber-reinforced polymer), mainly used for the reinforcement of concrete structures, and the most recent inorganic-based systems, including FRCM (fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix), CRM (composite-reinforced mortar), and TRM (textile-reinforced mortar), more suitable and compatible with masonry.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect original contributions on the use of composite materials for the reinforcement, both internal or external, of concrete and masonry elements or structures. Topics of interest include but are not limited to mechanical characterization tests, analytical and numerical methods to model, simulate, and predict the mechanical behavior, durability studies, and mechanical tests on macroscale elements.

Prof. Jacopo Donnini
Prof. Simone Spagnuolo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Rehabilitation
  • Composite system
  • FRCM (fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix)
  • FRP (fiber-reinforced polymer)
  • FRC (fiber-reinforced concrete)
  • Durability
  • Existing structures
  • Reinforcement
  • Concrete
  • Masonry

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2358 KiB  
Article
Efficient, Fine-Grained Fly Ash Concrete Based on Metal and Basalt Fibers
by Leonid Dvorkin, Janusz Konkol, Vitaliy Marchuk and Andriy Huts
Materials 2023, 16(11), 3969; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16113969 - 25 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1375
Abstract
This article presents the results of a study of the physical and mechanical properties of fine-grained fly ash concrete based on a combined reinforcement with steel and basalt fibers. The main studies were conducted using mathematical planning of experiments, which allowed the experiments [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of a study of the physical and mechanical properties of fine-grained fly ash concrete based on a combined reinforcement with steel and basalt fibers. The main studies were conducted using mathematical planning of experiments, which allowed the experiments to be algorithmized in terms of both the amount of experimental work and statistical requirements. Quantitative dependences characterizing the effect of the content of cement, fly ash binder, steel, and basalt fiber on the compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of fiber-reinforced concrete were obtained. It has been shown that the use of fiber can increase the efficiency factor of dispersed reinforcement (the tensile splitting strength to compressive strength ratio). To increase the resistance of basalt fiber, it is proposed to use fly ash in cement systems, which reduces the amount of free lime in the hydrating cement environment. Full article
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20 pages, 24052 KiB  
Article
Multi-Hazard-Resistant Behavior of CFRP- and Polyurea-Retrofitted Reinforced Concrete Two-Column Piers under Combined Collision–Blast Loading
by Chen Fang, Tewodros Y. Yosef and Daniel G. Linzell
Materials 2023, 16(10), 3784; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103784 - 17 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1598
Abstract
This study investigated the multi-hazard resistance of highway bridge piers retrofitted with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and polyurea coating against the combined collision–blast loads and evaluated their effectiveness. Detailed finite element models of CFRP- and polyurea-retrofitted dual-column piers that considered the blast-wave–structure interactions and [...] Read more.
This study investigated the multi-hazard resistance of highway bridge piers retrofitted with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and polyurea coating against the combined collision–blast loads and evaluated their effectiveness. Detailed finite element models of CFRP- and polyurea-retrofitted dual-column piers that considered the blast-wave–structure interactions and the soil pile dynamics were developed using LS-DYNA to simulate the combined effects of a medium-size truck collision and close-in blast. Numerical simulations were conducted to examine the dynamic response of bare and retrofitted piers under different levels of demands. The numerical results indicated that using CFRP wrapping or polyurea coating effectively mitigated the combined collision and blast effects and increased the pier’s resistance. Parametric studies were performed to identify an in situ retrofit scheme to control the parameters and determine the optimal schemes for the dual-column piers. For the parameters that were studied, the results showed that retrofitting at half the height of both columns at the base was identified as an optimal scheme to improve the multi-hazard resistance of the bridge pier. Full article
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12 pages, 3232 KiB  
Article
Deflection Test of Wire-Integrated Steel Deck Plates with Various End Details
by Hye-Ji Lee, Keun-Hyeok Yang, Sanghee Kim, Jong-Kook Hong, Deung-Hwan Kim and Ju-Hyun Mun
Materials 2023, 16(6), 2251; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062251 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1375
Abstract
This experimental study was conducted to evaluate the deflection performance of wire-integrated steel deck plates with various end details subjected to cumulative gravity loads. In general, when deck plates are installed in the Republic of Korea, vertical bars are mounted at the ends [...] Read more.
This experimental study was conducted to evaluate the deflection performance of wire-integrated steel deck plates with various end details subjected to cumulative gravity loads. In general, when deck plates are installed in the Republic of Korea, vertical bars are mounted at the ends of the wire-integrated deck plates. However, this process can extend the construction time, thus incurring additional costs. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the structural performance of a deck plate when a lattice foot—rather than a vertical bar—is installed at the end of it. A total of nine specimens were prepared; the experimental variables included the end details, height of the lattice truss girder, and structure type. To evaluate the deflection performance, the cumulative gravity load (as a construction load) and a concrete self-weight were applied to the specimens, and the deflections of each specimen were measured. In the experimental results, the deflection values of the specimen with vertical bars were 0.9~6.1 mm, while those for the specimen without vertical bars were 0.8~5.0 mm. This means that a lattice foot exhibits better deflection performance than conventional end details. Additionally, the deflection of the specimens satisfied the deflection limits required in the relevant standards. Full article
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14 pages, 3563 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of FRCM-Strengthened Corroded RC Beams under Cathodic Protection
by Kurdo Abdulla, Xiaoming Zhu and Meini Su
Materials 2022, 15(15), 5334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155334 - 3 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1723
Abstract
Fibric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites have been used to improve the mechanical performance of reinforced concrete beams subjected to degradation in the past decades. Recently, dual-functional carbon fibres have been explored to provide both structural strengthening to RC beams and cathodic protection [...] Read more.
Fibric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites have been used to improve the mechanical performance of reinforced concrete beams subjected to degradation in the past decades. Recently, dual-functional carbon fibres have been explored to provide both structural strengthening to RC beams and cathodic protection to reinforcement bars. This paper investigates the loading responses and structural behaviour of RC beams subjected to different levels of corrosion, protected by impressed current cathodic protection and structurally strengthened by external bonded FRCM. A numerical model is developed for the corroded RC beams under impressed current cathodic protection and structural strengthening by the FRCM composite. Upon validation against experimental results collected from the literature, the finite element model is then used for parametric study. A number of numerical results are generated to analyse the effects of key parameters, including the corrosion rate, degradation level of interfacial bonding properties due to anode acidification, and end anchorage, followed by detailed discussions. It is found that the significance of the corrosion of steel reinforcement bars significantly affects the load-carrying capacity of the beams. Increasing the corrosion rate from 0 to 40% reduces the load-carrying capacity of un-strengthened beams to 45% of the original capacity. Therefore, the cathodic protection provided by the C-FRCM plate is important to the reinforcement bars as it can avoid the cross-section area reduction of reinforcement bars and, thus, the main loading capacities of the beams. In this study, the degradation of the bonding properties at the interface of carbon fibre and the cementitious matrix due to anode acidification during impressed current cathodic protection is also considered. It is found that the bond strength of the C-FRCM plate has a slight effect on the load-carrying capacity of the beam. In addition, the application of end anchorage can significantly enhance both the load-carrying capacity and ductility of the beams. The rates of enhancement, if compared to the beams with no end anchorage, can reach up to 60%. Full article
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20 pages, 7145 KiB  
Article
Flexural Performance of Encased Pultruded GFRP I-Beam with High Strength Concrete under Static Loading
by Enas M. Mahmood, Abbas A. Allawi and Ayman El-Zohairy
Materials 2022, 15(13), 4519; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134519 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2264
Abstract
There is an interesting potential for the use of GFRP-pultruded profiles in hybrid GFRP-concrete structural elements, either for new constructions or for the rehabilitation of existing structures. This paper provides experimental and numerical investigations on the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) specimens [...] Read more.
There is an interesting potential for the use of GFRP-pultruded profiles in hybrid GFRP-concrete structural elements, either for new constructions or for the rehabilitation of existing structures. This paper provides experimental and numerical investigations on the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) specimens composite with encased pultruded GFRP I-sections. Five simply supported composite beams were tested in this experimental program to investigate the static flexural behavior of encased GFRP beams with high-strength concrete. Besides, the effect of using shear studs to improve the composite interaction between the GFRP beam and concrete as well as the effect of web stiffeners of GFRP were explored. Encasing the GFRP beam with concrete enhanced the peak load by 58.3%. Using shear connectors, web stiffeners, and both improved the peak loads by 100.6%, 97.3%, and 130.8%, respectively. The GFRP beams improved ductility by 21.6% relative to the reference one without the GFRP beam. Moreover, the shear connectors, web stiffeners, and both improved ductility by 185.5%, 119.8%, and 128.4%, respectively, relative to the encased reference beam. Furthermore, a non-linear Finite Element (FE) model was developed and validated by the experimental results to conduct a parametric study to investigate the effect of the concrete compressive strength and tensile strength of the GFRP beam. The developed FE model provided good agreement with the experimental results regarding deformations and damaged patterns. Full article
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15 pages, 4866 KiB  
Article
Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Carbon Yarns with Different Surface Treatments Embedded in a Cementitious Mortar: Mechanical and Durability Studies
by Francesca Bompadre and Jacopo Donnini
Materials 2022, 15(11), 3927; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15113927 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1961
Abstract
Nowadays, FRCM systems are increasingly used for the strengthening and retrofitting of existing masonry and reinforced concrete structures. Their effectiveness strongly depends on the bond that develops at the interface between multifilament yarns, which constitute the reinforcing fabric, and the inorganic matrix. It [...] Read more.
Nowadays, FRCM systems are increasingly used for the strengthening and retrofitting of existing masonry and reinforced concrete structures. Their effectiveness strongly depends on the bond that develops at the interface between multifilament yarns, which constitute the reinforcing fabric, and the inorganic matrix. It is well known that fabric yarns, especially when constituted by dry carbon fibers, have poor chemical-physical compatibility with inorganic matrices. For this reason, many efforts are being concentrated on trying to improve the interface compatibility by using different surface treatments on multifilament yarns. In this paper, three different surface treatments have been considered. The first two involve yarn pre-impregnation with flexible epoxy resin or nano-silica coating, while the third one involves a fiber oxidation process. Uniaxial tensile tests were carried out on single carbon yarns to evaluate tensile strength, elastic modulus and ultimate strain before and after surface treatments, and also after yarn exposure to accelerated artificial aging conditions (1000 h in saline or alkaline solutions at 40 °C), to evaluate their long-term behavior in aggressive environments. Pull-out tests on single carbon yarns embedded in a cementitious mortar were also carried out, under normal environmental conditions and after artificial exposure. Epoxy proved to be the most effective treatment, by increasing the yarn tensile strength of 34% and the pull-out load of 138%, followed by nano-silica (+9%; +40%). All surface treatments were shown to remain effective even after artificial environmental exposures, with a maximum reduction of yarn tensile strength of about 13%. Full article
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17 pages, 7061 KiB  
Article
Finite Element Analysis of Rubberized Concrete Interlocking Masonry under Vertical Loading
by Amin Al-Fakih and Mohammed A. Al-Osta
Materials 2022, 15(8), 2858; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15082858 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2621
Abstract
Fine aggregate and cement have been partially replaced by 10% and 56% crumb rubber and class F-fly ash, respectively, in order to manufacture rubberized concrete interlocking bricks (RCIBs). The newly developed product has been used for masonry construction without the need for mortar [...] Read more.
Fine aggregate and cement have been partially replaced by 10% and 56% crumb rubber and class F-fly ash, respectively, in order to manufacture rubberized concrete interlocking bricks (RCIBs). The newly developed product has been used for masonry construction without the need for mortar (mortarless), and the experimental testing under compression load was investigated by Al-Fakih et al. Therefore, in line with that, this study carried out finite element (FE) analysis for experimental result validation of masonry walls and prisms made of RCIBs. ANSYS software was utilized to implement the FE analysis, and a plasticity detailed micro-modeling approach was adopted. Parametric studies were carried out on masonry prisms to investigate the effect of the slenderness ratio and the elastic modulus of grout on the prism behavior. The results found that the adopted FE model has the ability to predict the structural response, such as compressive strength, stiffness, and failure mechanism, of the interlocking masonry prisms with about a 90% agreement with the experimental results. Based on the parametric studies, the compressive strength for a 6-course prism is approximately 68% less than a 3-course prism and 60% less than a 5-course prism, which means that the slenderness ratio plays a vital role in the behavior of the RCIB masonry prism under the vertical compression load. Moreover, the results showed that the difference between FE and experimental results of the walls was less than 16%, indicating a good match. The findings also reported that masonry walls and prisms experienced higher ductility measured by the post-failure loading under compression. The finite element model can be used for further investigation of masonry systems built with rubberized concrete interlocking bricks. Full article
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18 pages, 7482 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Responses of Blast-Loaded Shallow Buried Concrete Arches Strengthened with BFRP Bars
by Jianqin Wu, Jiannan Zhou, Ying Xu, Xinli Kong, Peng Wang, Bo Wang, Chengjie Zhao, Fengnian Jin, Wenye Wang and Fengxia Wang
Materials 2022, 15(2), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15020535 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2035
Abstract
This paper proposes a prefabricated basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars reinforcement of a concrete arch structure with superior performance in the field of protection engineering. To study the anti-blast performance of the shallow-buried BFRP bars concrete arch (BBCA), a multi-parameter comparative analysis [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a prefabricated basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars reinforcement of a concrete arch structure with superior performance in the field of protection engineering. To study the anti-blast performance of the shallow-buried BFRP bars concrete arch (BBCA), a multi-parameter comparative analysis was conducted employing the LS-DYNA numerical method, which was verified by the results of the field explosion experiments. By analyzing the pressure, displacement, acceleration of the arch, and the strain of the BFRP bars, the dynamic response of the arch was obtained. This study showed that BFRP bars could significantly optimize the dynamic responses of blast-loaded concrete arches. The damage of exploded BBCA was divided into five levels: no damage, slight damage, obvious damage, severe damage, and collapse. BFRP bars could effectively mitigate the degree of damage of shallow-buried underground protective arch structures under the explosive loads. According to the research results, it was feasible for BFRP bars to be used in the construction of shallow buried concrete protective arch structures, especially in the coastal environments. Full article
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21 pages, 6728 KiB  
Article
Pushover Tests on Unreinforced Masonry Wallettes Retrofitted with an Innovative Coating: Experimental Study and Finite Element Modelling
by Jean-Patrick Plassiard, Mathieu Eymard, Ibrahim Alachek and Olivier Plé
Materials 2021, 14(22), 6815; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14226815 - 11 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1986
Abstract
This paper investigates the mechanical contribution of an innovative coating applied on masonry wallettes compared to a traditional one. In both cases, the multifunctional coatings were insulating coatings intended for thermal refurbishment, but they could also be used to retrofit masonry. Uncoated specimens [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the mechanical contribution of an innovative coating applied on masonry wallettes compared to a traditional one. In both cases, the multifunctional coatings were insulating coatings intended for thermal refurbishment, but they could also be used to retrofit masonry. Uncoated specimens as well as coated ones were submitted to pushover tests to establish the strength gain. URM walls experienced brittle failures while the coated walls exhibited significant strength gains and strong ductility. The corresponding finite element models were developed. The behaviour of the URM walls was reproduced accurately in terms of strength and failure pattern. Models involving the coatings were used to partially retrieve the behaviour and to highlight the issues of a continuum approach. Full article
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16 pages, 3106 KiB  
Article
Flexural Behavior of Two-Span Continuous CFRP RC Beams
by Miao Pang, Sensen Shi, Han Hu and Tiejiong Lou
Materials 2021, 14(22), 6746; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14226746 - 9 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1870
Abstract
This paper investigates the feasibility of replacing steel bars with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars in continuous reinforced concrete (RC) beams. A numerical model is introduced. Model predictions are compared with the experimental results that are available in the literature. A comprehensive numerical investigation [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the feasibility of replacing steel bars with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars in continuous reinforced concrete (RC) beams. A numerical model is introduced. Model predictions are compared with the experimental results that are available in the literature. A comprehensive numerical investigation is then performed on two-span CFRP/steel RC beams with ρb2 = 0.61–3.03% and ρb1/ρb2 = 1.5, where ρb1 and ρb2 are tensile bar ratios (ratios of tensile bar area to effective cross-sectional area of beams) over positive and negative moment regions, respectively. The study shows that replacing steel bars with CFRP bars greatly improves the crack mode at a low bar ratio. The ultimate load of CFRP RC beams is 89% higher at ρb2 = 0.61% but 7.2% lower at ρb2 = 3.03% than that of steel RC beams. In addition, CFRP RC beams exhibit around 13% greater ultimate deflection compared to steel RC beams. The difference of moment redistribution between CFRP and steel RC beams diminishes as ρb2 increases. ACI 318-19 appears to be conservative, and it leads to more accurate predictions of moment redistribution in CFRP RC beams than that in steel RC beams. Full article
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20 pages, 7589 KiB  
Article
Effect of Wet-Dry Cycles on the Bond Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Inorganic-Matrix Systems Bonded to Masonry Substrates
by Karrar Al-Lami, Angelo Savio Calabrese, Pierluigi Colombi and Tommaso D’Antino
Materials 2021, 14(20), 6171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14206171 - 18 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1945
Abstract
In recent years, inorganic-matrix reinforcement systems, such as fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM), composite-reinforced mortars (CRM), and steel-reinforced grout (SRG), have been increasingly used to retrofit and strengthen existing masonry and concrete structures. Despite their good short-term properties, limited information is available on their [...] Read more.
In recent years, inorganic-matrix reinforcement systems, such as fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM), composite-reinforced mortars (CRM), and steel-reinforced grout (SRG), have been increasingly used to retrofit and strengthen existing masonry and concrete structures. Despite their good short-term properties, limited information is available on their long-term behavior. In this paper, the long-term bond behavior of some FRCM, CRM, and SRG systems bonded to masonry substrates is investigated. Namely, the results of single-lap direct shear tests of FRCM-, CRM-, and SRG-masonry joints subjected to wet-dry cycles are provided and discussed. First, FRCM composites comprising carbon, polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO), and alkali-resistant (AR) glass textiles embedded within cement-based matrices, are considered. Then, CRM and SRG systems made of an AR glass composite grid embedded with natural hydraulic lime (NHL) and of unidirectional steel cords embedded within the same lime matrix, respectively, are studied. For each type of composite, six specimens are exposed to 50 wet–dry cycles prior to testing. The results are compared with those of nominally equal unconditioned specimens previously tested by the authors. This comparison shows a shifting of the failure mode for some composites from debonding at the matrix–fiber interface to debonding at the matrix-substrate interface. Furthermore, the average peak stress of all systems decreases except for the carbon FRCM and the CRM, for which it remains unaltered or increases. Full article
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22 pages, 13108 KiB  
Article
Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Strips
by Muhammad Haroon, Jae Sang Moon and Changhyuk Kim
Materials 2021, 14(19), 5866; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14195866 - 7 Oct 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2428
Abstract
Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) have shown considerable potential in the repair and rehabilitation of deficient reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To date, several CFRP strengthening schemes have been studied and employed practically. In particular, strengthening of shear damaged RC members with CFRP materials [...] Read more.
Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) have shown considerable potential in the repair and rehabilitation of deficient reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To date, several CFRP strengthening schemes have been studied and employed practically. In particular, strengthening of shear damaged RC members with CFRP materials has received much attention as an effective repair and strengthening approach. Most existing studies on strengthening shear-deficient RC members have used unidirectional CFRP strips. Recent studies on strengthened T-beams demonstrated that a bidirectional CFRP layout was more effective than a unidirectional layout. As such studies are limited, in this study, the feasibility of bidirectional CFRP layouts for the shear strengthening of rectangular RC beams was experimentally evaluated. Bidirectional layout details with CFRP anchors as well as rehabilitation timing were considered and investigated. The test results showed that the members with a bidirectional CFRP layout carried less shear strength capacity than those with unidirectional layouts for the same quantity of CFRP material. Nevertheless, the bidirectional CFRP layout allowed for a uniformly distributed stirrup strain compared to the unidirectional CFRP layout at the same load level, which increased the efficiency of the transverse reinforcement. Additionally, the shear contribution of CFRP material according to the CFRP strengthening timing was verified. Full article
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19 pages, 7972 KiB  
Article
Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Long Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Composites
by Kinga Korniejenko, Beata Figiela, Krzysztof Miernik, Celina Ziejewska, Joanna Marczyk, Marek Hebda, An Cheng and Wei-Ting Lin
Materials 2021, 14(18), 5183; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185183 - 9 Sep 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2773
Abstract
The aim of the article is to analyze the structure and mechanical properties in terms of the cracking mechanics of geopolymer composites based on fly ash and river sand, as well as metakaolin and river sand with three types of reinforcement material: glass [...] Read more.
The aim of the article is to analyze the structure and mechanical properties in terms of the cracking mechanics of geopolymer composites based on fly ash and river sand, as well as metakaolin and river sand with three types of reinforcement material: glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber, in terms of their use in additive manufacturing. Geopolymer composites were reinforced with fibers in a volume ratio of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%. Subsequently, these samples were subjected to bending strength tests in accordance with the European standard EN 12390-3. The addition of fibers significantly improved the bending strength of all composites made of metakaolin and sand. The reinforcement with aramid fiber in the amount of 2.0% resulted in more than a 3-fold increase in strength compared to the reinforcement-free composites. An analysis of the morphology of the fibers was carried out on the basis of photos taken from an electron microscope. The correct addition of fibers changes the nature of the fracture from brittle to more ductile and reduces the number of cracks in the material. Full article
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18 pages, 37826 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of the Composite Action of Axially Compressed Concrete-Filled Circular Aluminum Alloy Tubular Stub Columns
by Faxing Ding, Changbin Liao, En Wang, Fei Lyu, Yunlong Xu, Yicen Liu, Yuan Feng and Zhihai Shang
Materials 2021, 14(9), 2435; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092435 - 7 May 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2163
Abstract
This paper studied the composite action of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular (CFCAT) stub columns under axial compression. A fine-meshed finite three-dimensional (3D) solid element model making use of a tri-axial plastic-damage constitutive model of concrete and elastoplastic constitutive model of aluminum alloy [...] Read more.
This paper studied the composite action of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular (CFCAT) stub columns under axial compression. A fine-meshed finite three-dimensional (3D) solid element model making use of a tri-axial plastic-damage constitutive model of concrete and elastoplastic constitutive model of aluminum alloy was established. A parametric study utilizing the verified finite element (FE) model was carried out and the analytical results were exploited to investigate the composite actions of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular stub columns subjected axial compression. Compared with the concrete-filled steel tube (CFCST) stub columns, the aluminum alloy tube exerted a weaker constraint effect on the infilled concrete due to its lower elastic modulus. Based on the FE analytical results and regression method, the composite action model of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular stub columns was proposed. By generalizing the stress nephogram of the concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular stub column at the limit state, a design formula was proposed to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity the columns using the superposition method. The predicted results of the proposed formula show a good agreement with both the experimental and FE analytical results. The comparison between the proposed formula and current design methods indicates that the proposed formula is more accurate and convenient to use. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 23767 KiB  
Review
Flexural Strength of Concrete Beam Reinforced with CFRP Bars: A Review
by Mohd Basri Che Bakar, Raizal Saifulnaz Muhammad Rashid, Mugahed Amran, Mohd Saleh Jaafar, Nikolai Ivanovicn Vatin and Roman Fediuk
Materials 2022, 15(3), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15031144 - 1 Feb 2022
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5738
Abstract
Conventional reinforced concrete (RC) structures are commonly associated with the corrosion of steel reinforcement. The application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars as flexural reinforcement has become a new promising option. This paper presents a state-of-the art flexural strength on concrete beams [...] Read more.
Conventional reinforced concrete (RC) structures are commonly associated with the corrosion of steel reinforcement. The application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars as flexural reinforcement has become a new promising option. This paper presents a state-of-the art flexural strength on concrete beams reinforced with CFRP bars. Concrete compressive and CFRP bar tensile strain, reinforcement ratio, types of surface treatment on CFRP bar and concrete compressive strength were identified as aspects of behavior. Significant findings in the literature had manifested all aspects of behavior that were affecting the flexural strength, deflections and crack characteristics of CFRP RC beams. In addition, the experimental result on 98 specimens of CFRP RC beams from the literature show that ACI 440.1R-15 and CSA S806-12 standards underestimate the ultimate flexural moment capacity of CFRP RC beams. On the other hand, Kara and Ashour predictions are more accurate with the experimental values. Moreover, hotspot research topics were also highlighted for further considerations in future studies. Full article
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