Study Of Strengthening Reinforced Concrete Beam With Ferrocement

Ferrocement is a type of thin layer to reinforce concrete structure, where usually hydraulic cement is reinforced with layers of continuous and relatively small diameter steel wire mesh. The mesh can be made of metallic materials or other suitable materials. Studies have shown that ferrocement have emerged as a viable, cost-effective method in strengthening R C members.The thesis deals with the response of ferrocement with wire meshes as flexural strengthening material for reinforced concrete beams. The experiment of the study involved testing of 22 RC beams strengthened in flexure and 3 control specimens without strengthened. The strengthening results of reinforced with U-shape and one-side ferrocement have been analyzed. Mid-span deflection, crack width and strains in the steel were measured during the course of the test. And the performance of the tested beams and modes of failure are presented and discussed in this thesis. The test results confirm that ferrocement can be used to significantly increase the flexural capacity, raise crack-resisting capacity and improve the bending stiffness of RC beam.In the theoretical part of the thesis, the analytical model based on a strain compatibility and equilibrium of internal forces, and analysis all specimens using the model in order to compare the analytical of results with experimental results have been provided. And the study finds that traditional analytical model can predict accurately the behavior of the specimens.In the thesis, the design issues of repairing and strengthening reinforced concrete structure using ferrocement have been provided, and the equations of brittle ratio, cracking load, ultimate load and vertical deflection have been inferred too. At last, a conclusion is shown that the theoretical equations share a good agreement with the experimental results of the tested beams.