Investigation of The Potential Use of Wire Mesh-Epoxy Composite for Flexural Retrofitting of Reinforced Concrete Beams
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
When a structural element is found to be inadequate, it can either be demolished and replaced or
modified with retrofitting. Considering the economic loss and inconvenience that can be incurred
from demolition, it is ideal to retrofit structural elements whenever possible. In this thesis, the
possibility of using a relatively new technique (i.e. wire mesh-epoxy composite) for flexural
retrofitting of reinforced concrete beams is investigated. The investigation was carried out through
experimental study, numerical simulations and analytical study on undamaged and predamaged
specimens. Furthermore, the effect of the technique on the ductility and energy absorption capacity
of reinforced concrete beams has been studied.
The experimental investigation was carried out on undamaged and predamaged specimens. The
experimental program was designed to scrutinize and understand the effect of the wiremesh-epoxy
composite on the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete beams. Ductility and energy absorption
capacity of the retrofitted specimens were also particular interests in the experimental
investigation.
In addition to the experimental investigation, this thesis incorporates a nonlinear finite element
analysis of undamaged and predamaged specimens using a finite element software named VecTor.
Furthermore, based on the results obtained from the experimental investigation and the non-linear
finite element analysis, an analytical investigation was carried out on a peculiar kind of failure that
occurred due to the attachment of the wire mesh-epoxy composite.
The experimental and nonlinear finite element analysis revealed that the wire mesh-epoxy
composite has the potential to enhance the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete beams
considerably. However, a considerable loss of ductility and energy absorption capacity was
observed in the retrofitted specimens. Finally yet importantly, the analytical model adopted after
the analytical investigation proved to be effective and accurate in predicting the failure load.
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Keywords
reinforced concrete beams, wire mesh-epoxy, flexural retrofitting