Strengthening of RC Beams Bonded with Acrylic Rubber Latex Modified Ferrocement Laminates

Abstract

This paper describes the potential of using polymer modified ferrocement as a repairing material with the exhaustive study comprises an experimental and analytical investigation by the influence of preload level on ultimate strength and ductility of polymer modified ferrocement strengthened beams. The beams were reinforced internally with constant amounts of steel and externally with polymer modified ferrocement laminates applied after the concrete had cracked under service loads and were tested under two-point bending. Out of eleven beams tested two were kept as control beams, three were uncracked and laminated; the remaining six beams were preloaded at 70% of the ultimate load with respect to control beam and were rehabilitated. The performance of the strengthened beams was compared to the control beam and the test results revealed that the flexural strengthening of RC beams with polymer modified ferrocement laminates is very effective and allows for significant reduction in concrete strain and mid-span deflection with increase in stiffness. Also, the results of the computational model were in reasonable agreement with the corresponding experimental results.