International Concrete Abstracts Portal

This paper presents a closed-form procedure to evaluate the shear strength contribution provided to a Reinforced Concrete (RC) beam by a system of Near Surface Mounted (NSM) Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strips. This procedure is based on the evaluation of: a) the constitutive law of the average-available-bond-length NSM FRP strip effectively crossing the shear crack and b) the maximum effective capacity it can attain during the loading process of the strengthened beam. Once the constitutive law of the average-available-bond-length NSM strip is reliably known, its maximum effective capacity can be determined by imposing a coherent kinematic mechanism. The self-contained and ready-to-implement set of analytical equations and logical operations is presented along with the main underlying physical-mechanical principles and assumptions. The formulation proposed is appraised against some of the most recent experimental results and its predictions are also compared with those obtained by a recently developed more sophisticated model.

Retrofitting of existing concrete structures and civil infrastructure has become necessary due to environmental degradation, changes in usage and heavier loading conditions. The use of advanced carbon fiber composite materials (CFRP) as externally bonded reinforcement has found wide application in recent years and has proven to be an effective method of improving the structural performance of existing structures. A good example of this is the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne, Australia for which the following case study is presented. Key innovations in CFRP technology developed specifically for this project have been described in the areas of design and testing of CFRP anchorage technology, involving the utilization of unidirectional and bidirectional fabrics together with mechanical substrate strengthening. These have all resulted in increases in material utilizations and enabled successful transfer of combined shear and torsional forces. Key aspects of the detailing, application, quality control and monitoring program adopted in the project are also presented along with the key aspects which resulted in the successful execution of this world class project.

This volume contains 72 papers from the 10th International Symposium held in Tampa, FL. The papers address internally reinforced members, strengthening of columns, material characterization, bond, emerging fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems, shear strengthening, fatigue and anchorage systems, masonry, extreme events, applications, durability, and strengthening. The papers emphasize the experimental, analytical, and numerical validations of using FRP composites and are aimed at providing insights needed for improving existing guidelines. The increasing maturity and acceptance of FRP is reflected by several papers that provide background information on the recent design codes and guidelines relating to blast and seismic repair. New frontiers of FRP research are explored, addressing emergin materials, and systems and applications for extreme events, such as fires and earthquakes, which will further consolidate FRP’s preeminent position. Note: The individual papers are also available. Please click on the following link to view the papers available, or call 248.848.3800 to order. SP-275

Precast lightweight concrete panels reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars are an ideal candidate for adoption in the construction of bridge decks using Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). ACI 440.1R guidelines do not provide guidance for the use of lightweight concrete with GFRP bars. Tests have been carried out to evaluate the performance of normal weight and lightweight concrete precast panels reinforced with GFRP bars. The ultimate load capacity of the panels was compared to one-way shear capacity specified in the ACI 440.1R guidelines. The reduction factor for shear specified in the ACI 318 building code for lightweight concrete was used to modify the capacity predicted by the ACI 440.1R guidelines for sand lightweight precast concrete panels. Normal weight concrete panels achieved 1.8 to 2.2 times the ACI 440 predicted capacity and lightweight concrete panels achieved 1.6 to 1.9 times the modified ACI 440 shear capacity.

Using fabric formwork, it is possible to cast architecturally interesting, optimised structures that use up to 40% less concrete than an equivalent strength prismatic section, thereby offering significant embodied energy savings. This paper reports on the latest techniques for the design, optimisation and shape prediction of fabric formed con-crete beams before new test results of an innovative anchorage method for both steel and fibre reinforced polymer longitudinal reinforcing bars are presented. Two 2m span beams were tested and the ‘helically confined splayed bar’ was shown to provide full anchorage in both cases. The two beams both exceeded their design capacity and showed remarkably similar behaviour at the serviceability limit state, with the steel reinforced section going on to display considerable ductility. Potential areas of future development are then highlighted, with the use of woven advanced composite fabrics as participating formwork for both beam and shell elements being of particular interest.