Strengthening of RC Beams with Prefabricated RC Rectangular Cross-Sectional Plates

Abstract

The topic of this study is to strengthen cracked beams with prefabricated RC rectangular cross-sectional plates. The damaged beams were repaired by epoxy based glue. The repaired beams were strengthened using prefabricated RC rectangular crosssectional plates. The strengthening plates were bonded to the bottom face of the beams by anchorage rods and epoxy. The strengthened beams were incrementally loaded up to maximum load capacities. The experimental results were satisfactory since the load carrying capacities of damaged beams were increased approximately 47% due to strengthening. The post-elastic strength enhancement and the displacement ductility of all the beams are researched during the experiments. The experimental program was supported by a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis. The experimental results were compared with the results obtained from the beam modeled with ANSYS finite element program.