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4 authors, including:
Ahmed Nabil
Magdy Tayel
Minoufiya University
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ABSTRACT
This paper will present the state-of-the-art of the different ways for
strengthening of existing reinforced concrete structures including both traditional
and advanced strengthening techniques. Concrete, steel and FRP composites are
the most commonly used materials in strengthening, repair, retrofitting and
rehabilitation processes of existing concrete structures. Traditional techniques for
flexural, shear and compression strengthening, externally bonded FRP, near
surface mounting reinforcement, sprayed FRP, textile reinforced concrete as
well as FRP prestressing techniques for retrofitting existing structures will be
discussed.
Keywords
Strengthening techniques, reinforced concrete structures, traditional techniques,
advanced techniques, FRP strengthening, near surface mounted, sprayed FRP.
1. INTRODUCTION
Structural strengthening, repair or upgrade of reinforced concrete (RC)
structures is an art that has evolved into a complex science. It includes the use of
conventional cement-based materials, as well as new materials that involve
advanced composites. Regardless of the experience and experimental knowledge
we have gained in more than a hundred years of reinforced concrete
construction, concrete still deteriorates due to natural causes and man-made
errors. The strengthening / repair assessment and design and the resulting design
of the solution are typically more complex than new construction.
When strengthening is going to be undertaken, all failure modes must be
evaluated. Strengthening a structure for flexure may lead to shear failure instead
of giving the desired increased load bearing capacity. It should also be noted
that not only the failure mode of the strengthened member is important. If a
critical member in a structure is strengthened, another member can become the
critical one. Because of stiffness change in an undetermined structural system,
the whole structure must be investigated. The strengthening should also be
designed with consideration to minimize the maintenance and repair needs.
When a strengthening is designed, the consequences from loss of strengthening
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strengthening could be achieved by section enlargement, external posttensioning, externally bonded steel elements, advanced fiber-reinforced polymer
(FRP) composites, textile reinforced concrete (TRC), near-surface mounted
(NSM) system, or a combination of these techniques. It should be tailored to
serve the intended use for the designed service life of the structure without
interfering with its functionality [1].
7. TRADITIONAL METHODS
Strengthening solutions of reinforced concrete members can range from
repair of damaged members so that their original load-carrying capacity is
restored, to adding elements to increase their strength. All solutions are projectspecific to a certain application but some general approaches are commonly
utilized. The most traditional techniques for strengthening reinforced concrete
structures are as follows [4]:
Section enlargement by increasing the reinforced concrete cross-section.
Add external prestressing (post-tension).
Use steel plate bonding to enhance tensile reinforcement of reinforced
concrete elements.
Use Ferro-cement covering or Cement grout.
Use sprayed concrete (shotcrete).
7.1. Section Enlargement
Section enlargement is one of the methods used in retrofitting concrete
members. Enlargement consists of the placement of reinforced concrete jacket
around the existing structural member to achieve the desired section properties
and performance. The main disadvantages of such system are the increase in the
concrete member size obtained after the jacket is constructed and the need to
construct a new formwork. With section enlargement members can be enlarged
to increase their load-carrying capacity or stiffness.
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because of its advantages, being economical and requiring less time to complete.
The system provides active forces and therefore was more compatible with
existing constructions.
(a)
(b)
Figure (2): Adding new steel bars to RC slab using section enlargement
technique. (a) from bottom, (b) from top
8.2. Beams
Reinforced concrete beams need strengthening when the existing steel
reinforcement or cross section in the beam is unsafe or insufficient or when the
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loads applied to the beam are increased due to the reasons mentioned before.
Strengthening strategy depend on the aim of it. Do we need it to enhance
flexural or shear capacity of beams section?; in such cases, there are different
solutions that could be followed as use of steel plate bonding in flexural zones
,add new steel rods /stirrups without section enlargement ,add new steel and
section enlargement ,use Ferrocement technology or even use post tension.
..
8.3. Columns
Strengthening of reinforced concrete columns may arise when the load
carried by the column is increased due to either increasing in floors number or
due to design mistakes; also if compressive strength of concrete or percent /type
of reinforcement are not according to the codes requirements . Strengthening
may be also needed when column inclination is more than allowable or if
foundation settlement is more than allowable. There are two major traditional
techniques for strengthening reinforced concrete columns as following:
8.3.1. Reinforced concrete jacketing
The size of the jacket and the number and diameter of the steel bars used
in the jacketing process depend on the structural analysis that was made to the
column. In some cases, before this technique is carried out, we need to reduce or
even eliminate temporarily the loads applied to the column; this is done by using
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(a)
(b)
Figure (7): a- installation of new steel cage around concrete column
during strengthening process using RC jacketing. b- the concrete
column after strengthening process
Fibers spraying
Figure (13) illustrates the idea of the sprayed FRP strengthening method
for reinforced concrete buildings. Figure (14) shows the construction site of
sprayed column specimens. In this method, resin is carried through a narrow
hose by an air compressor. The resin is mixed with short fibers such as carbon
or glass at a tip of the narrow hose. The mixed materials are sprayed directly on
a surface to be strengthened. After that, the surface is made flat by a roller. The
resin will be hardened and the whole sprayed structure will be reinforced with
FRP. This method makes seismic strengthening possible that all structure
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members, such as columns, beams, walls, and slabs, are monolithic since it is
possible to strengthen an entire interior structures in building structures.
to control the shear cracks best. Shear forces in a beam may be reversed under
reversed cyclic loading and fibers may be thus arranged at two different
directions to satisfy the requirement of shear strengthening in both directions.
(a)
(b)
Figure (23): Strengthening of concrete slab of a building using CFRP strips on the top and underside of the slab
to axial compression, the FRP jackets are loaded mainly in hoop tension while
the concrete is subjected to tri-axial compression, so that both materials are used
to their best advantages. As a result of the confinement, both the strength and
the ultimate strain of concrete can be enhanced, while the tensile strength of
FRP can be effectively utilized.
expansion being provided along the flat column, so in case of square and
rectangular columns corner radius must be applied to corners of column or
transform column section to elliptical shape to utilize the effect of confinement.
A number of different methods (based on form of jacketing material or
fabrication process) have been tested at large or full-scale many of which are
now used commercially all over the world. A suitable classification of FRP
composite jackets is given in figures (24, 25, 26 and 27).
9.4.5. Disadvantages of externally bonded FRP reinforcement
In spite of the significant research being reported on their structural
mechanism and performance, there are still heightened concerns regarding
possible premature failure due to debonding, especially in zones of combined
high flexural and shear stresses. In addition, externally bonded FRP
reinforcement is relatively unprotected against wear, fire, and impact loads. The
structural performance of the externally bonded FRP also could be greatly
affected by harsh environmental conditions [14].
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this technique, the slab is strengthened with a small amount of concrete, which
gives a small self-weight [27].
The use of TRC for strengthening and retrofit applications may have
several advantages The high modulus of the cement-based matrix may open the
way for the use of lower modulus fabrics, which are less expensive than using
EBR method. Moreover, cement binders are less expensive and less sensitive
than epoxy matrixes to fire hazards, high temperature environments and freeze
thaw effects.
One layer
Two layers
Full Wrapping
Three layers
11. REFERENCES
1. Tarek Alkhrdaji and Jay Thomas. " Techniques and Design Considerations
for Upgrade of Parking Structures". National Parking Association, June 2002.
2. ISIS Educational Module 4: An Introduction to FRP Strengthening of
Concrete Structures, ISIS Education Committee, Canada, 2004.
3. Zhishen Wu, Xin Wang, and Kentaro Iwashita. "State-of-the-Art of Advanced
FRP Applications in Civil Infrastructure in Japan". Composites & Polycon
2007, American Composites Manufacturers Association, October 17-19,
2007
, Tampa, FL USA.
4. Fib TG9.3 FRPbulletin No.14: " Externally Bonded FRP Reinforcement for
RC Structures ". Technical Report on the Design and Use of Externally
Bonded Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement (FRP EBR) for Reinforced
Concrete Structures, July 2001. Lausanne, Switzerland.
5. Jay H. Paul, S.E., P.E." Repair, Renovation and Strengthening of Concrete
Structures". Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures Mexico
City, September 11-13, 2002.
6. Anders Carolin. "Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers for Strengthening of
Structural Elements". Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Civil and Mining
Engineering, Division of Structural Engineering, Lule University of
Technology, Sweden, 2003.
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