M.Tech. (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology / This research investigated the structural bond strength of GFRP rebars in concrete beams under dynamic loading with the aim to characterize the structural bond behaviour and evaluate the limitations of the GFRP rebars under dynamic loading. The dynamic loading in this study was set at 500 repeating cycles to simulate a more realistic dynamic loading scenario such as earthquake since most dynamic loading studies are carried under ten repeating cycles. The experimental work was divided into 2 main tests which were firstly, the tensile tests of the GFRP rebars in order to evaluate the tensile strength of the rebars and characterize their properties. Secondly, the flexural tests of GFRP and steel reinforced concrete beams in order to evaluate the bond strength of GFRP and steel rebars, to characterize the average bond strength of GFRP and steel reinforced concrete beams under dynamic loading and finally to compare the average bond strength of GFRP rebars to Steel rebars in both dynamic and static loadings. The tensile tests were carried out using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and the results of the tensile tests of the GFRP rebars showed that the average experimental tensile strength of GFRP rebars was only 56.65% of the nominal tensile strength provided on the supplier data sheet. As for flexural tests, they were carried out through a four-point bending test using a UTM in conjunction with a universal dynamic shaker to create the dynamic loading set up. Steel reinforced concrete beams were used as control beams during the tests and factors such as the tensile strength of the GFRP rebars, the slip of the rebars, the load-deflection relationship and the stress-strain relationship were investigated. The results of the tests showed that the tensile strength of the GFRP rebar is strongly proportional to the maximum beam load bearing capacity and the maximum stresses of GFRP reinforced concrete beams. The results also showed that the average bond strength of GFRP rebars in static loading (8.44 MPa) was only 80% of the average bond strength in dynamic loading (10.95 MPa). Moreover, the experimental work showed that the failure of GFRP reinforced concrete beams depicted large deflections (19 mm) and slips (5 mm to 12.5 mm) when compared to steel reinforced concrete beams (for which the maximum deflection was 9.66 mm at failure and slippage values of 2 mm to 10 mm). Based on that it could be stipulated that the tensile strength of GFRP rebars is one determinant factor to the bond strength behaviour of GFRP rebars in concrete. Hence, the structural bond behaviour of GFRP rebars could be well-defined if more studies were done on the bond behaviour of GFRP rebars in concrete beams under dynamic loading using another type of GFRP rebars that would consist of a relatively high tensile strength as compared to the ones used in this study and different surface texture.

[pt] O objetivo deste trabalho é contribuir para um melhor entendimento do comportamento à força cortante de vigas de concreto armado sem e com fibras de aço via seus mecanismos resistentes. Para isto, foi feita ampla revisão do estado da arte e, com base nesta revisão, planejado o estudo experimental realizado. Este estudo contemplou quatro composições de concretos que visaram resistência à compressão em torno de 40MPa, variando-se o teor em volume (Vf = 0,0 por cento, 0,5 por cento ou 1,0 por cento) e o fator de forma das fibras (lf/df = 45 ou 80). Além dos ensaios de caracterização dos materiais, realizaram-se ensaios para estudo dos efeitos de pino e de engrenamento dos agregados, além de ensaios de vigas sem estribos com relação entre vão de cisalhamento e altura útil igual a 2,55. Constatou-se influência de Vf(lf/df) nos efeitos de pino e de engrenamento dos agregados, bem como no comportamento das vigas. O emprego da Correlação de Imagem Digital (CID) permitiu acompanhar a fissuração dos espécimes ensaiados e a obtenção de informações para a proposição de modelos teóricos para análise dos efeitos de pino e de engrenamento dos agregados. Os dados de fotogrametria obtidos nos ensaios das vigas permitiram avaliar a formação e a cinemática da fissura diagonal crítica e, com base nesses dados e nos modelos aqui propostos e em outros apresentados na literatura, buscou-se analisar a contribuição dos mecanismos resistentes em diferentes estágios de carregamento. Foi possível observar que vigas semelhantes podem apresentar posição, forma e cinemática da fissura crítica diferenciadas, embora com respostas globais próximas. Em decorrência disso, as contribuições dos mecanismos resistentes também resultam diferentes. / [en] The objective of this work is to contribute to a better understanding of the shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams without and with steel fibers via their resistant mechanisms. For this, a comprehensive review of the state of the art was made and, based on this review, the experimental study carried out was planned. This study contemplated four concrete compositions that aimed a concrete compressive strength around 40MPa, varying the volume content (Vf = 0.0 percent, 0.5 percent or 1.0 percent) and the aspect ratio of the fibers (lf /df = 45 or 80). In addition to the materials characterization tests, tests were carried out to study the dowel action and the aggregate interlock effects and also tests of beams without stirrups with span to effective depth ratio of 2.55. Influence of Vf(lf/df) in the dowel action and the aggregate interlock effects, as well as in the behavior of the beams was observed. The use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) allowed monitoring the cracking of the tested specimens and to obtain information that led to theoretical models to analyze the dowel action and the aggregate interlock effects. The obtained photogrammetry data during the beams tests made it possible to follow the formation and kinematics of the critical diagonal crack and, based on these data and on the models proposed here and on others presented in the literature, the contribution of the resistant mechanisms in different loading stages was analyzed. It was possible to observe that similar beams may present differentiated position, shape and kinematics of the critical diagonal crack, although with similar global responses. As a result, the contributions of the resistant mechanisms are also different.

Yes / This paper presents an analytical method for estimating the flexural strength of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with externally bonded fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates. The method is developed from the strain compatibility and equilibrium of forces. Based on the size of external FRP laminates, several flexural failure modes may be identified, namely tensile rupture of FRP laminates and concrete crushing before or after yielding of internal steel reinforcement. Upper and lower limits to the size of FRP laminates used are suggested to maintain ductile behaviour of strengthened reinforced concrete sections. Comparisons between the flexural strength obtained from the current method and experiments show good agreement. Design equations for calculating the size of FRP laminates externally bonded to reinforced concrete sections to enhance their flexural strength are proposed.

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) has wide use for placement in congested reinforced concrete structures in recent years. SCC represents one of the most outstanding advances in concrete technology during the last two decades. In the current work a great deal of cognizance pertaining to mechanical properties of SCC and comparison of fracture characteristics of notched and unnotched beams of plain concrete as well as using acoustic emission to understand the localization of crack patterns at different stages has been done. An artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed to predict the 28day compressive strength of a normal and high strength of SCC and HPC with high volume fly ash. The ANN is trained by the data available in literature on normal volume fly ash because data on SCC with high volume fly ash is not available in sufficient quantity. Fracture characteristics of notched and unnotched beams of plain self consolidating concrete using acoustic emission to understand the localization of crack patterns at different stages has been done. Considering this as a platform, further analysis has been done using moment tensor analysis as a new notion to evaluate fracture characteristics in terms of crack orientation, direction of crack propagation at nano and micro levels. Analysis of B-value (b-value based on energy) is also carried out, and this has introduced to a new idea of carrying out the analysis on the basis of energy which gives a clear picture of results when compared with the analysis carried out using amplitudes. Further a new concept is introduced to analyze crack smaller than micro (could be hepto cracks) in solid materials. Each crack formation corresponds to an AE event and is processed and analyzed for crack orientation, crack volume at hepto and micro levels using moment tensor analysis based on energy. Cracks which are tinier than microcracks (could be hepto), are formed in large numbers at very early stages of loading prior to peak load. The volume of hepto and micro cracks is difficult to measure physically, but could be characterized using AE data in moment tensor analysis based on energy. It is conjectured that the ratio of the volume of hepto to that of micro could reach a critical value which could be an indicator of onset of microcracks after the formation of hepto cracks.

A fluência é um fenômeno de grande importância no concreto armado. Apesar de ser apontada como a causa de diversas patologias em estruturas, seus efeitos ainda são considerados de forma simplificada pelos projetistas estruturais. Além de estudar o fenômeno em estruturas de concreto armado e sua consideração atual utilizada na análise de estruturas, este trabalho compara as deformações de vigas simplesmente apoiadas de concreto armado, obtidas de forma analítica, e em ensaios experimentais com os resultados de simulações pelo Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). Os valores de deformações e deslocamentos calculados de forma analítica foram obtidos a partir de recomendações da Norma Brasileira NBR 6118 (2014) e do Código Modelo Simplificado CEB-FIP (1990), e os resultados experimentais foram extraídos de ensaios disponíveis na literatura. As simulações são realizadas no programa ANSYS Workbench, utilizando o elemento tridimensional SOLID 186 e a simetria das vigas. Posteriormente são realizadas análises de convergência utilizando o elemento bidimensional PLANE 183. Conclui-se ao final que as análises através do MEF são qualitativa e quantitativamente eficazes para estimativa dessa não linearidade e que o método de obtenção dos coeficientes de fluência utilizados é suficientemente preciso. / Reinforced concrete creep is a phenomenon of great importance. Despite being appointed as the main cause of several pathologies, its effects are yet considered in a simplified way by the structural designers. In addition to studying the phenomenon in reinforced concrete structures and its current account used in the structural analysis, this paper compares creep strains at simply supported reinforced concrete beams in analytical and in experimental forms with the finite element method (FEM) simulation results. The strains and deflections obtained through the analytical form were calculated with the Brazilian code NBR 6118 (2014) recommendations and the simplified method from CEB-FIP 90 and the experimental results were extracted from tests available in the literature. Finite element simulations are performed using ANSYS Workbench software, using its 3D SOLID 186 elements and the structure symmetry. Analyzes of convergence using 2D PLANE 183 elements are held as well. At the end, it is concluded that FEM analyses are quantitative and qualitative efficient for the estimation of this non-linearity and that the method utilized to obtain the creep coefficients values is sufficiently accurate.

A fluência é um fenômeno de grande importância no concreto armado. Apesar de ser apontada como a causa de diversas patologias em estruturas, seus efeitos ainda são considerados de forma simplificada pelos projetistas estruturais. Além de estudar o fenômeno em estruturas de concreto armado e sua consideração atual utilizada na análise de estruturas, este trabalho compara as deformações de vigas simplesmente apoiadas de concreto armado, obtidas de forma analítica, e em ensaios experimentais com os resultados de simulações pelo Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). Os valores de deformações e deslocamentos calculados de forma analítica foram obtidos a partir de recomendações da Norma Brasileira NBR 6118 (2014) e do Código Modelo Simplificado CEB-FIP (1990), e os resultados experimentais foram extraídos de ensaios disponíveis na literatura. As simulações são realizadas no programa ANSYS Workbench, utilizando o elemento tridimensional SOLID 186 e a simetria das vigas. Posteriormente são realizadas análises de convergência utilizando o elemento bidimensional PLANE 183. Conclui-se ao final que as análises através do MEF são qualitativa e quantitativamente eficazes para estimativa dessa não linearidade e que o método de obtenção dos coeficientes de fluência utilizados é suficientemente preciso. / Reinforced concrete creep is a phenomenon of great importance. Despite being appointed as the main cause of several pathologies, its effects are yet considered in a simplified way by the structural designers. In addition to studying the phenomenon in reinforced concrete structures and its current account used in the structural analysis, this paper compares creep strains at simply supported reinforced concrete beams in analytical and in experimental forms with the finite element method (FEM) simulation results. The strains and deflections obtained through the analytical form were calculated with the Brazilian code NBR 6118 (2014) recommendations and the simplified method from CEB-FIP 90 and the experimental results were extracted from tests available in the literature. Finite element simulations are performed using ANSYS Workbench software, using its 3D SOLID 186 elements and the structure symmetry. Analyzes of convergence using 2D PLANE 183 elements are held as well. At the end, it is concluded that FEM analyses are quantitative and qualitative efficient for the estimation of this non-linearity and that the method utilized to obtain the creep coefficients values is sufficiently accurate.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.

Neste trabalho estudou-se o reforço de vigas T de concreto armado tanto por meio de adição de armadura longitudinal ao bordo tracionado envolvida por um material compósito (argamassa com fibras curtas de aço), quanto pela aplicação de uma capa de pequena espessura de microconcreto de alta resistência ao bordo comprimido. Para estudar as possibilidades da aplicação prática destas duas técnicas de reforço avaliou-se o comportamento das vigas reabilitadas verificando a influência: da atuação de um pré-carregamento durante a execução do reforço, das deformações diferidas diferenciais (fluência e retração) existentes entre os materiais novos e antigos e, dos mecanismos de resistência mobilizados na transmissão de esforços na junta - formada pela ligação do substrato ao concreto do reforço - ou entre as barras de aço tracionadas preexistentes e adicionadas em função da ausência de estribos envolvendo-as. Para redimensionar as peças reforçadas no bordo tracionado foram realizados ensaios complementares para identificar, dentre as várias fibras disponíveis comercialmente, qual a que proporcionaria ao material compósito, um confinamento suficiente que evitasse a ruptura prematura da viga pela tendência de deslizamento relativo entre as barras de aço tracionadas devida à ausência de estribos neste local. Para redimensionar as peças reforçadas no bordo comprimido realizou-se ensaios complementares para determinar as propriedades viscoelásticas dos materiais usados no substrato e no reforço, tornando possível estimar as descontinuidades geradas nos estados de tensão e deformação ao longo do tempo já que tais materiais são moldados e submetidos a carregamentos em idades distintas. Os resultados dos ensaios das vigas reforçadas de seção T foram analisados e comparados com previsões teóricas feitas a partir da adaptação de métodos analíticos convencionais recomendados por norma para estruturas novas, e a partir de simulações numéricas usando um programa computacional baseado no método dos elementos finitos. Do estudo realizado foi possível: comprovar a eficiência das técnicas de reforço propostas estando as peças submetidas ou não a um pré-carregamento durante a execução da intervenção, compatibilizar alguns dos conhecimentos teóricos existentes a fim de poder usá-los na análise teórica das vigas reabilitadas, além de reunir uma série de informações úteis que podem ser exploradas na definição de estratégias e procedimentos de projeto de estruturas reabilitadas semelhantes / This paper reports on the results of a study about the behavior of reinforced concrete T-beams rehabilitated using two different techniques. The first technique consists of the addition of longitudinal reinforcement embedded in a steel fiber reinforced highperformance mortar at the bottom face of the member. The second technique consists of rehabilitation by adding a thin overlay of high-strength concrete to the compression zone. The parameters analyzed to verify the possibilities of practical applications of these techniques were: the effect of a pre-loading acting on the beams during their rehabilitation, the differential time-dependent deformations (creep and shrinkage) between the new concrete and existing base, the mechanisms of resistance mobilized along the interface formed by old and new concrete or between pre-existent steel bars and added steel bars that are not involved by stirrups. Previous tests were carried out to make it possible to redesign the intervention adequately. Theses tests yield useful information about which type and volume of steel fibers need to be added to composite mortar to avoid the premature rupture of the strengthened beam caused by relative slipping between the layers of steel tensioned bars. These tests also give information about the viscoelastic properties of the materials used to manufacture the T-beams. The test results were analyzed and compared with the results of analytic models and numeric models based on the method of the finite elements. Based on this study, it can be stated that the proposed techniques are really efficient even if the beams are submitted to a pre-loading during the process of rehabilitation. Also, existing theoretical knowledge was organized to support the theoretical analysis of the rehabilitated beams, besides gathering useful information that can be explored in the definition of strategies and procedures of similar projects of rehabilitated structures

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.

Neste trabalho estudou-se o reforço de vigas T de concreto armado tanto por meio de adição de armadura longitudinal ao bordo tracionado envolvida por um material compósito (argamassa com fibras curtas de aço), quanto pela aplicação de uma capa de pequena espessura de microconcreto de alta resistência ao bordo comprimido. Para estudar as possibilidades da aplicação prática destas duas técnicas de reforço avaliou-se o comportamento das vigas reabilitadas verificando a influência: da atuação de um pré-carregamento durante a execução do reforço, das deformações diferidas diferenciais (fluência e retração) existentes entre os materiais novos e antigos e, dos mecanismos de resistência mobilizados na transmissão de esforços na junta - formada pela ligação do substrato ao concreto do reforço - ou entre as barras de aço tracionadas preexistentes e adicionadas em função da ausência de estribos envolvendo-as. Para redimensionar as peças reforçadas no bordo tracionado foram realizados ensaios complementares para identificar, dentre as várias fibras disponíveis comercialmente, qual a que proporcionaria ao material compósito, um confinamento suficiente que evitasse a ruptura prematura da viga pela tendência de deslizamento relativo entre as barras de aço tracionadas devida à ausência de estribos neste local. Para redimensionar as peças reforçadas no bordo comprimido realizou-se ensaios complementares para determinar as propriedades viscoelásticas dos materiais usados no substrato e no reforço, tornando possível estimar as descontinuidades geradas nos estados de tensão e deformação ao longo do tempo já que tais materiais são moldados e submetidos a carregamentos em idades distintas. Os resultados dos ensaios das vigas reforçadas de seção T foram analisados e comparados com previsões teóricas feitas a partir da adaptação de métodos analíticos convencionais recomendados por norma para estruturas novas, e a partir de simulações numéricas usando um programa computacional baseado no método dos elementos finitos. Do estudo realizado foi possível: comprovar a eficiência das técnicas de reforço propostas estando as peças submetidas ou não a um pré-carregamento durante a execução da intervenção, compatibilizar alguns dos conhecimentos teóricos existentes a fim de poder usá-los na análise teórica das vigas reabilitadas, além de reunir uma série de informações úteis que podem ser exploradas na definição de estratégias e procedimentos de projeto de estruturas reabilitadas semelhantes / This paper reports on the results of a study about the behavior of reinforced concrete T-beams rehabilitated using two different techniques. The first technique consists of the addition of longitudinal reinforcement embedded in a steel fiber reinforced highperformance mortar at the bottom face of the member. The second technique consists of rehabilitation by adding a thin overlay of high-strength concrete to the compression zone. The parameters analyzed to verify the possibilities of practical applications of these techniques were: the effect of a pre-loading acting on the beams during their rehabilitation, the differential time-dependent deformations (creep and shrinkage) between the new concrete and existing base, the mechanisms of resistance mobilized along the interface formed by old and new concrete or between pre-existent steel bars and added steel bars that are not involved by stirrups. Previous tests were carried out to make it possible to redesign the intervention adequately. Theses tests yield useful information about which type and volume of steel fibers need to be added to composite mortar to avoid the premature rupture of the strengthened beam caused by relative slipping between the layers of steel tensioned bars. These tests also give information about the viscoelastic properties of the materials used to manufacture the T-beams. The test results were analyzed and compared with the results of analytic models and numeric models based on the method of the finite elements. Based on this study, it can be stated that the proposed techniques are really efficient even if the beams are submitted to a pre-loading during the process of rehabilitation. Also, existing theoretical knowledge was organized to support the theoretical analysis of the rehabilitated beams, besides gathering useful information that can be explored in the definition of strategies and procedures of similar projects of rehabilitated structures