Rapid Strengthening of Full-Sized Concrete Beams with Powder-Actuated fastening Systems and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite Materials

Abstract

A research study was conducted to determine if the method of retrofitting reinforced concrete beams with powder-actuated fasteners and composite materials was applicable to full-scale flexural members. The work was conducted in the third year of an ongoing study. This report details the experimental and analytical work completed during the course of a 12 months investigation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a 1 month period of experimental testing at the United States Army Research and Development Center (ERDC), Vicksburg, Mississippi. The primary objective of the study was to determine the applicability of the strengthening method to full-scale concrete T-beams similar to those found on bridges within the continental United States. Secondary objectives include expanding the current analytical model, investigating the effects of span ratios, investigating the effects of termination lengths, and studying retrofitted beam behavior under fatigue loading. Nine full-scale T-beams were cast and tested at the ERDC. The results of these tests were analyzed and compared to the expanded analytical model. The test results compared favorably to the analytical predictions. Ten large-scale beams were cast and tested at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Structures and Materials Testing Laboratory, to investigate the secondary objectives of the study. Overall, the research study showed that the strengthening method is applicable to full-scale T-beams; the strengthening effect is comparable to traditional bonded methods; termination length impacts the failure mode of the strengthened beam; the method can be applied to members with short shear spans; and cyclic loading does not degrade the strengthening system.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA405701

Entities

People

  • Anthony J. Lamanna
  • David T. Borowicz
  • Gerardo I. Velazquez
  • James C. Ray
  • Lawrence C. Bank

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Computer Programs
  • Concrete
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Fabrication
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fiber Reinforced Composites
  • Fiber Reinforced Polymers
  • Materials
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Working
  • Mechanics
  • Strain Gages
  • United States
  • Yield Strength

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.