Experimental Study on the Shear Behavior of UHPC-Strengthened Concrete T-Beams
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 9
Abstract
Ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) strengthening is an efficient technique to improve the capacity of shear-deficient members. However, the applicability of UHPC strengthening on a T-beam has been scarcely investigated, particularly with regard to repair configurations not reaching beam supports involving a higher delamination potential. In this study, the shear behavior of concrete T-beams with cast-in-place UHPC strengthening is investigated with 10 concrete T-beams, including different strengthening configurations, layer thicknesses, and anchors at the repair interface. Beams with a UHPC bottom layer ending before the support are investigated for the first time. Load–deflection, lateral, and cross-sectional cracking patterns in each beam are analyzed. Besides, strain distributions of the beams are recorded and analyzed through a digital image correlation system to distinguish different failure modes. The efficiency of UHPC strengthening for improving the shear behavior of concrete beams is clarified, and recommendations are provided for a UHPC-strengthened beam design to avoid delamination. The testing results show that UHPC strengthening using lateral layers is the most efficient configuration for improving shear capacity and does not increase the sectional height, while a U-shaped jacket configuration is recommended when a substantial increase of beam stiffness is required. A combination of shear and separation failure is found in beams with a UHPC bottom layer ending before the support, and it is, therefore, suggested not to use a UHPC bottom layer alone due to the development of separation cracks. More ductile failure modes obtained with 50-mm lateral layers and a 25-mm U-jacket are suggested. Installation of anchors at the repair interface is recommended to achieve more ductile failure modes.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support obtained from NSERC and MITACS (Canadian granting agencies) and the industrial partners involved in the research project (BPDL, City of Montreal, Euclid, Jacques-Cartier, and Champlain Bridges Inc., Sika and St-Lawrence Seaway). The authors also gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the help of the technical staff of the Polytechnique Montreal Structural Laboratory.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 9 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 12, 2022
Accepted: Mar 31, 2023
Published online: Jul 6, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Dec 6, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Beams
- Concrete
- Concrete beams
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Failure analysis
- Failure modes
- Forensic engineering
- High-performance concrete
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Shear strength
- Strength of materials
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
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Cited by
- Tongxu Liu, Jean-Philippe Charron, Analytical Model for Calculating Shear Capacity of NSC Beams Strengthened by UHPC Lateral Layers, Journal of Structural Engineering, 10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-12866, 150, 6, (2024).