Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 429-435). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Reinforced concrete buildings may be vulnerable to progressive collapse due to a lack of continuous reinforcement. Progressive collapse is an extreme form of collapse that is disproportionate to the originating cause. Such collapses cause not only significant damage to buildings, but also greater loss of life and injuries. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) may be used to retrofit existing reinforced concrete beams and provide the missing continuity needed to resist progressive collapse. This research focuses on retrofitting the beams in a reinforced concrete building to provide sufficient continuity to reach catenary action. The catenary action may allow the beam to carry vertical loads at large displacements if a supporting column were removed. The CFRP can provide continuity through the negative moment reinforcement or through the positive moment reinforcement. The research was broken into three major components. Anchorage tests form the design basis of the CFRP retrofit and ensure that the capacity of the retrofit can be accurately predicted. Continuity tests determine if the CFRP retrofit is capable of providing continuity and if the retrofit will allow the beam to reach catenary action and sustain a load representing resistance to progressive collapse. The analysis model forms a set of equations for catenary action so the results can be applied to reinforced concrete beams in general. Forty anchorage tests, eight continuity tests, and one analysis model were constructed and evaluated. The anchorage tests found that carbon fiber anchors enabled improved utilization of the tensile capacity of a CFRP sheet and improved the efficiency of material usage in CFRP retrofits. The continuity tests found that beams without continuous reinforcement can reach catenary action (depending on design details) and a CFRP retrofit, if designed correctly (placed in locations that do not cause rebar fracture before catenary), may be able to reduce vulnerability to progressive collapse. The analysis model was able to accurately predict the load-deflection behavior of a reinforced concrete beam in catenary action. The overall conclusion is that a CFRP retrofit can reduce vulnerability to progressive collapse in reinforced concrete buildings. / text

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-61).

Incorporation of chemicals into the internal matrix of cement or concrete, with later release occurring upon stimulation, alters the matrix parameters from those at the initial set. Permeability is reduced, for example, and therefore durability enhanced. The advantages of these designs would be the ability to reduce maintenance and repair costs in the initial building configuration and to delay the time of eventual repair. The components and the structure could take greater environmental abuse also. Permeability is significantly reduced by release of a polymer from wax-coated porous fibers upon heating to temperature of polymerization. Freeze/thaw damage is somewhat reduced by the timed release of linseed oil or antifreeze from porous aggregates due to the freezing action itself. These example designs using timed release mostly gave improved durability performance when compared to conventional treatments for durability or environmental distress. Concerns that significant strength reduction would occur due to heating or fiber loading were shown to be unfounded by our test results; indeed, heating and fiber inclusion increased strength. An adequate amount of wetting of the samples could be obtained with 2.75% volume of fibers; however, above a 2.75% volume of fibers, fibers do reduce the strength. Results were analyzed by the method of comparing results in the samples with factors varied to results in samples without variable factors, that is, by comparing to the controls. This research shows that timed internal release of chemicals into cement can be accomplished; it appears feasible and is potentially useful. Long-term tests need to be performed on such factors as chloride ion intrusion/ corrosion tests. Filled fiber, aggregate or prill manufacture, storage, and placement need to be researched and assessed for cost. Design of components using only targeted areas for release in the component and the use of time released fibers in reinforced cement laminates should be evaluated. / Ph. D.