Behavior of RC beams strengthened in shear with ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC)

Abstract

This paper investigates the behavior of RC beams strengthened in shear with UHPFRC. In order to ensure high quality and facilitate the strengthening process on site applications, it has been considered to apply UHPFRC as a plate pasted on concrete using epoxy. In addition to the control beam, two strengthened RC beams using prefabricated UHPFRC plates were prepared and tested. All beams had the same rectangular cross-section geometry (150mm x 300mm x 2000mm). Two different techniques were considered during the strengthening process; the first application was the addition of two 30 mm UHPFRC plates, whereas the second beam strengthened using one 60 mm UHPFRC plate. Results showed that strengthening RC beams using two UHPFRC plates improved load carrying capacity with 145 % comparing with the control beam. Moreover UHPFRC plate in case of strengthening one side of the RC beam prevented shear cracks from appearing on the strengthened side.