Strengthening of RC T-beams with Shear Deficiencies Using GFRP Strips

The shear performance, modes of failure, and strain analysis of simply supported reinforced concrete （RC） T-beams, externally strengthened in shear using epoxy bonded glass fiber reinforced polymer （GFRP） strips are focused in the present paper. Six RC T-beams of 2.5 m span without shear reinforcement are cast. Three beams are used as control specimens and rest three beams are strengthened in shear with GFRP strips in U-shape, side bonded at 45° and 90° to the longitudinal axis of the beam. All the beams are tested in a Universal Testing Machine. The test results demonstrate the feasibility of using an externally applied, epoxy-bonded GFRP strips to restore or increase the shear strength of RC T-beams. It is also observed that the RC T-beams strengthened by diagonal side strips outperformed those strengthened with vertical side strips.

Effectiveness of external prestressing in enhancing the non-ductile hanger failure mechanism in reinforced concrete inverted T-beams

Recently,inverted T-beams have been used in reinforced concrete(RC)bridges to support transverse precast stringers.Inverted T-beams,contrary to practice with conventional beams,are loaded on the flanges upper surface.This loading configuration causes hanger failure due to the generation of vertical tensile stresses near the bottom of the web.The key purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of vertical external prestressing stainless-steel bars in mitigating non-ductile hanger failure in reinforced concrete inverted T-beams.An experimental study on six inverted-T beams,including two un-strengthened specimens,was carried out.The study showed that the value of the prestressing level had a considerable impact on the performance of hanger mechanism in relation to crack pattern,ultimate loads,cracking behavior,load-deflection,strains,and ductility.The experimental results indicated that the suggested method for strengthening inverted T-beams had efficacy in reducing the seriousness of the non-ductile hanger failure and resulted in a strength increase of up to 53% when compared to that of the un-strengthened specimen.Additionally,two analytical models for estimating the hanger capacity and the average crack width of the strengthened RC inverted T-beams were proposed.The models that were proposed exhibited a high degree of agreement with the experimental results.

Stiffness Degradation Characteristics Destructive Testing and Finite-Element Analysis of Prestressed Concrete T-Beam

The failure behavior of the precast prestressed concrete T girder was investigated by destructive test and finite-element analysis,and the mid-span deflection,girder stiffness and the variation of the cross section strain in the loading process were obtained,and the mechanical properties,mechanical behavior,elastic and plastic behavior and ultimate bearing capacity of T girder with large span were revealed.Furthermore,the relationship between the beam stiffness degradation,the neutral axis in cross-section,steel yielding and concrete cracking are investigated and analyzed.A method was proposed to predict the residual bearing capacity of a bridge based on the variation of the position of the cross section strain distribution and the section neutral axis,which provided a theoretical basis for predicting the stiffness detection and carrying capacity assessment of prestressed concrete beam.

Ultimate load analysis of pretensioned inverted T-beams with circular web openings

The provision of transverse openings in floor beams to facilitate the passage of utility pipes and service ducts not only results in a more systematic layout of pipes and ducts,it also translates into substantial economic savings in the construction of a multi-storey building.In this paper,ultimate load analysis of statically loaded simply supported pretensioned inverted T-beams with circular web openings is presented.Major findings relevant to ultimate load analysis of pretensioned beams with circular web openings are summarized.An attempt has been made to answer the frequently asked questions related to ultimate load analysis on multiple circular web open-ings.It has been shown that the analysis method for pretensioned beams with multiple large circular web openings can be further simplified without sacrificing rationality.

Structural Condition and Deficiencies of Present Constructed Bridges over Zahirshahi Canal and Proposal of New Design Using AASHTO Codes

This paper addresses a comprehensive design of RCC T-beam Bridge based on AASHTO design standards. The bridge is designed and proposed to be constructed over an irrigation canal (Zahirshahi canal) of Kandahar province, Afghanistan that has more than 30 bridges over it. Yet they are not enough, and the demand for construction of new bridges is gradually arising because of the vast urbanization in the surrounding of the canal. Most of the bridges on this canal are Reinforced Concrete Slab (RCS) bridges;?these type bridges are limited by capacity and are generally found only in smaller spans. Since they can only span short distances and are often constructed as multiple-span?bridges with vertical supports between the abutments to allow a longer length.?All constructed slab bridges over Zahirshahi canal are four-span bridges. Constructing multi-span bridges on the canal decreases waterway due to the existence of many piers and footings that could increase the water level during the peak flow, even, sometimes can cause over flow. Taking into consideration these deficiencies of the present (RCS) bridges, two-span RCC T-beam Bridge is one of the best alternatives to be constructed over the canal. In addition, canal cross-sectional dimensions are almost constant along its length, though the construction of two-span RCC T-beam bridge is applicable at any point of the canal. The design is selected based on exclusive survey of the area during all seasons including the peak flowing of the canal.