Investigation of Concrete: PMC Composite

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the behavior of concrete–Polymer Modified Concrete two-layered composite beams (PMC). Sixteen simply supported beam specimens were tested to failure. While the principal parameter of this investigation was the variation of the top PMC layer thickness; the major aspects studied were the load-deflection and cracking behavior, the mode of failure of the beams, the contribution of PMC to the strength of the composite beam, the initiation and progress of slip in the interface of the two layers, frictional shear resistance of the un-reinforced concrete–PMC interface, and the effect of using shear reinforcement to prevent any slip and shear failure. It is concluded that the two layered system can be effectively used in practice. Based on the experimental results recommendation is made for the allowable interface shear stress. A method with a numerical example is presented for the design of composite beams.