PERFORMANCE OF EXTERNALLY REINFORCED R.C. BEAMS STRENGTHENED IN SHEAR WITH VARYING GLUE THICKNESSES

Abstract

In recent years, the strengthening of Reinforced-concrete members by externally glued steel plates is becoming increasingly popular due to its cost-effectiveness and versatility. The ultimate strength capacity of the reinforced concrete beams can be increased considerably with a negligible change in the member dimensions by using this technique. An important parameter on which the structural performance of strengthened beams depends is the performance of the glue layer. Glue layer thickness directly affects the first visual crack load, service load, strains in the external and internal steel, deflection of the beam, ultimate load and crack pattern. In the present study, simply supported reinforced concrete beams were tested to ultimate toad in shear. Three glue thickness of 1.5, 3 and 6 mm were used for strengthening the beams. Structural performances of the strengthened and control beams were compared. The 3 mm glue thickness showed the best structural Performance. The increase in ultimate load obtained was about 34%.