RC column externally strengthened with RC jackets

In this paper the behaviour in compression of RC columns externally strengthened with concrete jacketing is analysed and a cross-section analysis of the jacketed member under axial load and bending moment is developed. The focus was to study the effect of confinement of concrete jacket on concrete core and the behaviour of compressed bars with buckling effects. Some other important aspects such as shrinkage, creep, old to new concrete surfaces and bond split effects were not included in the model because: the use of thick non-shrink grout jacket and a well-roughened surface of old-to-new concrete was supposed; long term effects were included though corrective coefficients for monolithic beh…

Behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete columns under axially and eccentrically compressive loads

An experimental investigation into the behavior of 16 short, confined, reinforced concrete columns with and without steel fibers was carried out. The columns with square sections had a concrete core 165 x 165 mm (6.49 x 6.49 in.) at the midsection and were hunched at the ends to apply eccentric loading and prevent boundary effects. The specimens were tested to failure at different strain rates under two loading schemes: concentric compression and eccentric compression with a constant eccentricity. The axial load and axial strains were obtained to evaluate the effects of the presence of steel fibers, the thickness of the cover concrete, and the eccentricity of the applied axial load. The com…

A simple model for the calculation of the axial load-carrying capacity of corroded RC columns

In the present paper, a simplified model is used to determine the axial load-carrying capacity of compressed short reinforced concrete columns subjected to corrosion processes. The model considers members with circular and square cross-sections and accounts for—cover spalling, —concrete core confinement induced by transverse steel reinforcement, —buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars. Strength reduction in concrete cover and core due to cracking induced by rust formation, reduction of steel area in longitudinal bars and transverse stirrups due to general and pitting corrosion and loss of confinement pressure are considered. The load-carrying capacity and load-axial strain curves here ge…

The use of steel angles for the connection of laminated glass beams: Experiments and modelling

Abstract In the present paper the experimental results relative to three-point bending tests on multilayer glass beams and on semi-rigid connections realised with stainless double web angles are presented and discussed. Small and medium size glass beams were tested and load–deflection curves and crack patterns at failure were recorded. The laminated glass specimens, of equal cross-section, were characterised by three different combinations of annealed float and fully thermally tempered glass plies and different interlayers. Steel joints constituted by double web angles to connect two glass beams were tested adopting several geometrical configurations and using stainless steel bolts preloade…

Flexural Test on a Full-Scale 60-kW Wind Turbine-Tower Telescopic Steel Pipe

A full-scale static test to failure was conducted on 6-m (236.22 in.)-long steel pipes constituting a segment of a telescopic wind tower with a 60-kW wind turbine. The diameter of the circular cross section of the steel pipes was 900 mm (35.43 in.), and the nominal thickness was 10 mm (0.39 in.). The steel grade was 355 MPa (51,488 psi). The tests were conducted in a force-controlled mode in a four-point bending test with a shear-to-span ratio of 2.05. The flexural limit states developed in the form of ovalization of the cross section and of local buckling. The buckling occurred in the plastic range because of the diameter-to-thickness ratio of the section. Although local buckling caused sl…

Temporary Strengthening Technique of Marble Columns with Steel Wires and Wood Spars

Granite, marble and heavy stone columns have been used in the architects from all the ages to answer to both aesthetical and structural requirements in ancient churches and historical buildings. Such materials offer great visual impact and have mechanical properties that allow their use in construction and to obtain bright and slender structures. Marble is a very high strength but brittle material. It often occur that marble or granite columns of historical building are cracked along their height due to external actions and the risk of buckling occurs. Because this kind of failure is sudden and very brittle in stone and rocks, an immediate strengthening of the columns is needed. Among e tem…

Retrofitting of Existing Steel MR-Frames by Encasing the Columns

Summary The study concerns the behaviour of steel MR-frames subjected to vertical and lateral forces, not properly designed according to capacity design criteria, and upgraded by means of encasing the steel columns with concrete having different grade. The purpose of the paper is to examine if the proposed technique allows one to adequately increase the lateral stiffness and the resistance of the frames. Pushover analyses on multi-storey frames are performed trough a non-linear calculus program, able to take into account of the second order effects. The behaviour of frames with encased columns was compared with those of the bare frames, highlighting that with the proposed technique it is po…

Influenza del confinamento del calcestruzzo con FRP sulla stabilità delle barre compresse

Analytical evaluation of steel–concrete composite trussed beam shear capacity

A calculation method for the prediction of the shear resistance of precast composite beams, named Hybrid Steel Trussed-Concrete Beams (HSTCBs), is herein proposed. HSTCBs are constituted by a prefabricated steel truss embedded within a concrete matrix cast in situ so that, after curing, the two materials work together in the mechanical response of the composite structural element, the steel truss behaving as reinforcement of the beam. The proposed analytical model is developed on the basis of the results of a reference experimental campaign of three-point bending tests available in the literature, carried out on specimens of HSTCB designed in order to attain a shear failure. Furthermore, th…

Seismic behavior of exterior RC beam-column joints without code-specified ties in the joint core

Abstract Beam-column joint design for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings is a critical issue for modern earthquake engineering, because for these structural elements, the current codes provide several geometrical constraints and reinforcement provisions, which may be very complex to implement during the construction phase. To investigate how a construction error might influence the joint behavior, two identical full-scale exterior beam-column joints specimens are built, according to Italian Building Code specifications for the high ductility class, but without the required horizontal ties inside the joint panel. This construction error could be plausible because, according to the design dra…

Behavior of fiber reinforced concrete-filled tubular columns in compression

Experimental compression tests on steel tubular columns filled with plain concrete and fiber reinforced concrete are carried out. For each type of column three different lengths are considered in order to point out the influence of slenderness on the ductility in compression. The experimental investigations presented here have emphasized the improvement in ductility capacity obtained when fiber reinforced concrete is utilised instead of plain concrete. Moreover, the results obtained stress that the lateral displacements due to global instability are drastically reduced.

Comportamento in compressione di elementi in calcestruzzo rinforzati con angolari e piatti metallici

A case study of the structural behavior of a catalan bricks masonry vault

Colonne in C.A. rinforzate con FRP con diverso livello di confinamento

COMPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF LAMINATED GLASS COLUMNS

This paper examines the behavior in compression of glass columns having tee (T) transverse cross-sections. The work highlights the issues recurring in the design of glass columns in rapid diffusion in the transparent architecture such as: - flexural and torsional buckling; - long-term effects and effects related to the temperature; - glued connections between single panels. In the work expressions are given for the calculation of the loadcarrying capacity of columns. The cases of full connection and absence of connection between the panels are analyzed and discussed. The comparison between the analytical and the experimental results highlights that in the case of glass columns with T cross-…

Compressive behaviour of laminated structural glass members

Abstract Several experimental investigations in the past few years have highlighted the fact that the compressive strength of glass was significantly higher than its tensile strength, allowing new applications of glass in compression members. However, due to the high slenderness of structural glass elements made of thin glass panels, they tend to fail in a brittle manner. A substantial amount of fundamental research has been carried out in the past few years to investigate the stability behaviour of structural glass elements. However, although buckling of glass panels has been quite well studied, a very poor amount of research has been addressed to glass columns, which by contrast represent…

Use of FRP fabrics and stainless steel grids for strengthening brick masonry columns

This work presents the results of an experimental investigation on 42 solid clay brick columns internally strengthened by FRP fabrics or stainless steel grids placed in the horizontal joints of mortar. Monotonic compressive loading tests were carried out under concentric and eccentric load. Eccentric tests were carried out loading the specimens on a reduced area with respect to the entire crosssection producing a D-region. The reinforcing of every course and of alternate courses are studied. The effectiveness of the proposed strengthening techniques is discussed, in terms of increase in strength and energy required to the collapse of brick columns. An analytical expression is proposed that …

Strength and ductility of R.C. columns strengthened with steel angles and battens

Abstract In this paper the behaviour of R.C. members externally strengthened with steel angles and battens subjected to axial force and bending moment is analysed. A fibre model was utilised to predict the moment–curvature diagrams of the strengthened members on the basis of stress–strain curves of the constituent materials (confined concrete, steel bars and angles) recently derived by the author. The stress–strain curves utilised for compressed concrete were able to take into account the confinement effects induced by longitudinal (bars and steel angles) and transverse (stirrups and battens) steel reinforcements. Constitutive laws in compression for confined concrete and steel bars and ang…

R/C columns strengthened by means of steel angles and battens: testing, modeling and design

Load Carrying Capacity of Glass Columns with Rectangular, T and X Transverse Cross-sections

In this study, the load carrying capacities of glass columns with rectangular, T and X cross-sections having different lengths were calculated. The proposed analytical procedure allows to calculate the load carrying capacity associated with strength of transverse cross-section including local and global flexural and/or torsional buckling phenomenon. Moreover, initial imperfections and time dependant effects, the latter associated with the viscoelastic behaviour of interlayer (PVB), were included in the model as suggested in the literature. Those effects were calculated by introducing the equivalent thickness of glass panels, which takes into account the shear modulus of PVB and the viscolea…

Flexural response of ordinary and fibrous reinforced concrete deep beams

Retrofit of External Beam-Column Concrete Joints with Diagonally Crossed Reinforcement: Experimental and Analytical Investigations

AbstractExperimental research was carried out regarding the flexural behavior under cyclic reversal loading of six full-scale external beam-column concrete joints cast with plain concrete in the pr...

Ingfluenza delle fibre sul comportamento delle zone diffusive

Flexural and Shear Resistance of Steel Fiber–Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Beams

In the present paper an analytical model is proposed that is able to determine the shear resistance of lightweight reinforced concrete beams with longitudinal bars, in the presence of reinforcing steel fibers. The model is based on the evaluation of the resistance contribution resulting from beam and arch actions. For the resistance contribution of main bars in tension, the residual bond adherence of steel bars and the crack spacing of reinforced concrete (RC) beams in the presence of fibers are considered. The contribution in terms of postcracking resistance in the tension zone of the beams is also included. The model was verified on the basis of experimental data available in the literatu…

UNA PROCEDURA PER IL DIMENSIONAMENTO ASSISTITO DI ALBERI DI TRASMISSIONE

Flexural response of FRC corbels

Abstract A strut-and-tie macro-model is proposed to determine the flexural response of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) corbels, reinforced with longitudinal bars and subjected to vertical load. The effects of the corbel geometry, the percentage of steel fibers, and grades of concrete and steel bars are also included. The model, which is specific for FRC corbels with hooked steel fibers, allows the determination of load levels, and corresponding displacements, associated with the first cracking, yielding of the main steel bars and crushing of the concrete strut. The sequential occurrence of these phenomena is established, depending on the amounts of steel fibers and reinforcing steel. The si…

Influence of steel reinforcements on the behavior of compressed high strength R.C. circular columns

Abstract In the present paper the focus is on the compressive response of short high strength reinforced concrete members having circular transverse cross-sections and reinforced with longitudinal steel bars and transverse spirals or hoops. An analytical model is proposed which allows one to estimate the confinement pressures exerted by transverse steel and by longitudinal bars during the loading process, taking into account the interaction of the hoops or spirals with the inner core both in the plane of the transverse steel and in the space between two successive hoops. Yielding of steel spirals or hoops and longitudinal bars including buckling phenomena and damage to the concrete core are…

Alcune considerazioni sulla tecnica di rinforzo con angolari e piatti metallici di elementi compressi in calcestruzzo

Overstrength requirements to avoid brittle shear failure in RC slender beams with stirrups

Abstract In this paper, an analytical expression was derived for the prediction of shear strength of slender reinforced concrete (RC) beams with stirrups. Failure occurring in B and D regions of the beam was considered. An expression derived for the shear strength of the B region was based on a modified constant angle truss model. The analytical expression derived consisted of three terms. The first one was related to the concrete contribution expressed through the square root of cylindrical compressive strength, geometrical ratio of longitudinal bars, and depth to width ratio. The second one was relating to the shear force induced by yielding of stirrups to the inclination of the main crac…

Influenza del confinamento del calcestruzzo con FRP sulla stabilità delle barre di elementi in c.a.

Adventages in using fibers in reinforced concrete members under compression

Analisi teorico-sperimentale del comportamento flessionale di colonne in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

Flexural behaviour of external R/C steel fibre reinforced beam-column joints

ABSTRACT A softened strut-and-tie macro model able to reproduce the flexural behaviour of external beam-column joint is presented. The model is specific for concrete with hooked steel fibres (FRC) and it is designed to calculate the flexural response, as load-deflection curve, of a beam-column sub-assemblages. The model considers the presence of a constant vertical load acting on the column and of a monotonically increasing lateral force applied at the tip of the beam.

Flexural Behavior of Steel Fibrous Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams

Experimental research was carried out regarding the flexural behavior of deep beams cast with plain and fibrous concrete with hooked steel fibers, and subjected to monotonic vertical loads. Four deep fiber-reinforced concrete beams were cast. Two of them were made of plain concrete with main and web steel reinforcements (RC), and two were made of hooked steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) with main steel reinforcements. The experimental results show the brittle behavior of reinforced deep RC members characterized by crushing of concrete struts and fracture of web steel bars. SFRC deep beams exhibit higher strength and, above all, ductility with respect to RC members due to the bridging a…

Efficiency of Stress-Strain Models of Confined Concrete With and Without Steel Jacketing to Reproduce Experimental Results

The improvement and the capacity assessment of existing buildings has become the main topic of the last years so that different studies can be found devoted to damaged structures or structures not having a capacity compatible with the safety levels of the actual codes. Reinforced concrete framed structure buildings represent a conspicuous rate of the existing constructions so many efforts are addressed to them. Referring to this type of buildings, a good prediction of strength and deformation capacity requests models able to interpret the constitutive law of concrete confined by internal reinforcement or by eventual external reinforcement applied to increase capacity of cross-sections. Cons…

Compressive behaviour of laminated glass columns with T cross-sections

Effects of shape of transverse cross-section on the load carrying capacity of laminated glass columns

Abstract In this paper simplified expressions for the calculus of the load carrying capacity of glass columns having rectangular, tee (T) and cruciform (X) transverse cross-sections are proposed and verified against available experimental data. Members with T and X cross-sections are obtained by gluing single multilayered glass panels. The expressions derived take into account of the: shape of the transverse cross-section (rectangular, T, and, X sections); buckling phenomenon (flexural and torsional); failure in the glued sections; long time effects. Case of full connections and absence of connections are considered to determine the range of variation of expressions adopted. The comparison …

Experimental Investigation for Degradation Analysis of an RC Italian Viaduct and Retrofitting Design

AbstractThe degradation state of RC bridge structures is one of the most important and difficult aspects to be interpreted. For these structures, structural analysis using FEM requires a reliable d...

Influence of design mistakes and material degradation on the collapse of a long-span RC roof in South Italy

Abstract In 2004, during ordinary maintenance work, consisting in the waterproofing of a building located in the South of Italy, the long-span (14.50 m) in situ cast reinforced concrete (RC) roof partially collapsed. The building, constructed in 1950, was in service as a cinema up to 1967 and utilized as a school up to 1985. Finally, it was a hotel up to 2000. In 2004, when the building was not in service and underwent maintenance work, it partially collapsed under the dead load. After the collapse, which involved a large portion of the roof, several beams and two columns, the Court nominated a first Official Technical Consultant in order to investigate on the causes of failure and related …

Flexural Response of RC Beams Failing in Shear

In this paper, an analytical model to determine the flexural response of simply supported RC beams under four-point bending tests failing in flexure and shear is presented. The model is able to provide load-deflection curves, including also the shear contributions, which are determined assuming a kinematic rigid plastic model able to consider different strength contributions such as the concrete, the dowel action, and transverse reinforcement with progressive yielding. For each contribution, a physical explanation is provided to link the strength evaluation with a specific kinematic evolution for the determination of the overall response of RC beams under combined shear and flexural loads. …

Strength and strain capacity of fiber reinforced polymer confined concrete in elliptical columns

Case Study of the Structural Behavior of a Catalan Bricks Masonry Vault

Catalan vaults are a peculiar type of low thickness vaulted brick masonry structure. Knowledge of load-deflection response and load bearing capacity are important aspects to consider with the aim of preserving these structural members as part of the cultural heritage. In order to investigate these aspects, complete knowledge of the constituent materials and geometry (dimension, thickness, constructive section) is necessary in such a way as to predict the load-deflection response and the effective load-carrying capacity; the latter can be determined utilizing simplified models (limit analysis) or by means of a numerical analysis (finite element method). With this aim, the structural behaviou…

Flexural behaviour of concrete corbels containing steel fibers or wrapped with FRP sheets

In the present paper an analytical and experimental investigation referring to the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete corbels subjected to vertical forces is presented. For fixed shape and dimensions of the corbels the experimental investigation analyses the effects of the following: longitudinal and transverse steel reinforcements; fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) with hooked steel fibers; external wrapping retrofitting technique with a thin layer of carbon fiber sheet (CFRP). The analytical model based on equivalent truss structures, allows one to determine the bearing capacity of corbels, distinguishing the different ultimate states reached. The analytical results are then compared…

Load-deflection response of concrete corbels containing steel fibers or wrapped with FRP sheets

Compressive behaviour of short fibrous reinforced concrete members with square cross-section

Travi in calcestruzzo fibroso in zona sismica: sperimentazione e progetto

Approximate Solution on Large Deflection of Glass Panels Subjected to Uniform Pressure

The estimation of the deflection of glass panels under wind pressure is important in designing external facades of buildings. A direct method to compute the large deflections of glass panels under uniform loads such as wind pressure is presented. The model allows for derivation of the load-deflection response of square or rectangular multilayered glass panels subject to uniform loads. The boundary conditions examined are those of four-point discontinuous supports or continuous supports along the four sides. With some assumptions on bending and membrane action of flat glasses, simple analytical expressions were derived from the elastic theory. Viscoelastic effects for multilayered glass pane…

Capacità portante di mensole tozze in calcestruzzo fibroso o rinforzate con FRP

Structural behavior of the old masonry bridge in the Gulf of Castellammare

Abstract Masonry arch bridges represent a very significant part of the heritage of road and railway artworks all over the word and especially in the Mediterranean area, both in terms of: numbers; reduced environmental impact; and static efficiency. In these cases, the cost of maintenance is often limited to the content and channeling of surface water and control of vegetation, which can eventually take root on the joints of the masonry at the shoulders. In masonry bridges, there are no expansion joints or hinges with support equipment or trolleys, as in metal bridges and reinforced concrete ones, or paint, or resin surface protection, all items that affect the cost of maintenance. The perma…

Palo telescopico per produzione eolica con ridotto impatto ambientale

Tra il 2015 e il 2016 un consorzio costituito da differenti partner ha sviluppato un progetto di ricerca per la realizzazione di un prototipo di un palo telescopico per produzione eolica con ridotto impatto ambientale ed il relativo sistema di sollevamento per una turbina di potenza da 60 a 250 kW e un’altezza di 30 m. Un palo eolico telescopico, che si solleva e si abbassa mediante automatismi o mediante controllo remoto, consente di differenziare nel tempo la presenza dell’aerogeneratore all’interno del paesaggio. La tecnologia attualmente disponibile per la movimentazione assiale dei pali eolici è applicabile a infrastrutture con altezze inferiori ai 10 metri e a pali ribaltabili di alte…

Flexural response of external R.C. beam-column joints externally strengthened with steel cages

Abstract An experimental and theoretical research referred to the flexural behavior of external R.C. joints strengthened with steel cages constituted by steel angles and battens is presented. The subassemblage (beam, column and joint) was subjected to a constant vertical load acting on the column and to a monotonically increasing lateral force applied at the tip of the beam. The control specimen is without strengthening system and it was designed with weak column and strong beam and overstrength in the joint region. Strengthening cases here studied refer to steel caging in the column and both in the beam and in the column. Cyclic response in term of load–displacement curves, crack patterns …

Bond characterization of monolithic and layered glass panels and ultrasonic tests to control glued surfaces

Abstract An experimental investigation is presented regarding the compressive and shear strength of monolithic and PVB laminated glass elements connected by acrylic glue. Ultrasonic tests were also used to control the efficiency of glued surfaces of glass panels. Twenty-four triplets composed of three float glass elements glued with acrylic adhesive were prepared to perform bond tests. Of these twelve triplets were made with monolithic glass elements with a nominal thickness of 20 mm, while twelve were made with layered glass elements 20 mm thick. Three single elements of monolithic glass and three of layered glass were tested for compressive strength. Ultrasonic tests were performed on a s…

Flexural behaviour of RC columns strengthened with steel angles and strips

Applicability of over-coring technique to loaded RC columns

Stress determination is a very important step in the assessment of the safety of existing reinforced concrete structures. In rock mechanic this goal is achieved with the over-coring technique. The main idea behind such a technique is to isolate a material sample from the stress field in the surrounding mass and monitor its re-equilibrium deformation response. If the materials remains elastic, and elastic properties are known, stresses may be obtained from the corresponding measured strains. The goal of this paper is to evaluate if the over-coring technique is applicable to reinforced concrete members. The results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of compressed concrete colum…

Load carrying capacity of RC compressed columns strengthened with steel angles and strips

Abstract In this paper a comparison between the analytical expressions for the prediction of the load carrying capacity of strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) columns with steel angles and strips is made. Expressions examined consider: the strength contribution due to the confinement effects induced by transverse strips; the composite action due to steel angles and unconfined concrete core; the strength contribution due to the composite actions of angles and concrete core taking into account that steel angles are subjected to axial force and bending moment and concrete core is confined by transverse strips. Design rules given by recent codes for the design of the strengthened columns are …

La pomice per il confezionamento di calcestruzzi leggeri strutturali

The possibility of using pumice aggregates for concrete in structural applications is discussed. In particular, the mix design of lightweight concrete for the manufacturing masonry units having proper strength, is discussed. Moreover, the design of the unit shape according to the technical code requirements and making it possible to arrange reinforcing steel bars is described. Reinforced bearing masonry walls, made with the concrete units in question, were manufactured and tests on the panels and on the designed units were carried out. For comparison, tests on concrete units and structural elements were carried out after the substitution of pumice aggregates with ordinary lightweight aggreg…

Stainless steel grids for confinement of clay brick masonry columns

This work presents the results of an experimental investigation on the behavior of 21 solid clay brick columns internally strengthened by stainless steel grids placed in the horizontal joints of mortar. This reinforcing technique can be applied as a constructive technique for new construction or as a retrofitting technique for existing structures (old structures to be reconstructed by original constructive method and internal reinforcement). Monotonic compressive loading tests were carried out under concentric and eccentric load. The effects of different numbers of steel grids and eccentricity of the external load were examined. Also, a detailed characterization of the constituent materials…

RC Columns Strengthened with Steel Angles and Battens: Experimental Results and Design Procedure

In this paper, an analytical model for the design of axially loaded strengthened RC columns with steel angles and battens is presented. Cases of directly loaded and not directly loaded steel angles are considered. The model considers the contribution in confinement pressures caused by transverse battens and steel angles and the contribution in terms of the load-carrying capacity of steel angles subjected to axial force and the bending moment. An experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of eight short, confined, RC columns externally strengthened with steel angles and steel battens with various pitches was carried out, and has been utilized as support for the analytical model. …

Shear-to-Moment Interaction in Glass Beams with Open Cross Sections

An experimental investigation regarding the flexural behavior of glass beams with a length of 1,200 mm and rectangular, T-shaped, or I-shaped cross sections is presented and discussed. T-shaped and I-shaped cross sections were obtained by assembling laminated glass (LG) panels of 200 mm depth and 12.76 mm thickness through an acrylic adhesive. Three specimens for each series investigated were tested in flexure, focusing on the flexural and shear response of beams through the determination of the load-deflection curves and crack patterns at rupture. The shear span to depth ratio a/d was 2.25, which is a very low value, and interaction of shear and bending moment occurred during the tests. An…

Structural Behavior of Telescopic Steel Pipe for a Full-Scale 60 kW Wind Turbine Tower

A simple analytical model, including local effects due to buckling and shear to moment interaction, was developed to pre-dict the load-carrying capacity of CHS tubes under flexure and shear. A finite-element analysis with ABAQUS Code was also conducted for validation of the proposed model. By properly modeling the imperfection effects due to the ovalization of steel tube, a good correlation of the structural response and failure mode was also achieved, and a good correlation with the analytical model was also achieved. Numerical and analytical results were compared with experimental results recently obtained by the author with good agreement. Experimental tests refer to full-scale static te…

Shear design of high strength concrete beams in MRFs

This paper presents the criteria for the shear design of high strength concrete (HSC) beams in moment resisting frames (MRFs). The formulation of an analytical model is provided for the case of beams with longitudinal reinforcement in the presence of transverse stirrups. The model is of additive type, in the meaning that the shear resistance of the beam is evaluated as the sum of several contributions. In particular, the contribution of concrete, longitudinal rebars, and transversal reinforcement are taken into account. Furthermore, for assessing the concrete contribution, a classical approach is followed, according to which two effects arise in the shear mechanism: the arc and the beam eff…

Progetto ed analisi del comportamento di nodi esterni in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

Simplified Analytical Model for Compressed High-Strength Columns Confined by Transverse Steel and Longitudinal Bars

Analisi sperimentale del comportamento flessionale di colonne in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

Behavior of beam-column concrete filled steel tubes with square and rectangular cross-section

Flexural behavior of external beam-column reinforced concrete assemblages externally strengthened with steel cages

In this paper, an experimental study referring to the flexural behavior of full-scale external beam-column joints externally strengthened with steel angles and strips and subjected to cyclic reversal loading is presented. One control specimen and five other specimens having the same characteristics as the control specimen but strengthened with steel angles and strips along beams and columns, and characterized by different configurations of strengthening in the critical regions, were tested. The control specimen was designed with a weak column and strong beam to reproduce the most common cases of old frame structures in the Mediterranean area, which were designed only for gravity loads and a…

Compressive behaviour of concrete elliptical columns confined by single hoops

The compressive behaviour of short concrete members having elliptical cross-sections and confined with single steel hoops is investigated. An analytical model is given for calculation of the stress-strain curves of compressed members also including the valuation of the ultimate stress corresponding to formation of a complete failure plane in the concrete core. The model is able to evaluate the confining pressure due to steel hoops referring to a fictitious reduced area of the confined core and to the effective stresses in the hoops, which are variable along the perimeter; moreover, it makes it possible to determine the maximum compressive strength and the corresponding strain of the confine…

Behavior in compression of lightweight fiber reinforced concrete with hooked steel fibers and transverse steel reinforcement

D-Regions

Flexural behavior of fibrous reinforced concrete corbels

Simplified analytical model for moment–axial force domain in the presence of shear in R.C. members externally strengthened with steel cages

Equations for a hand calculation of moment–axial force domain in the presence of shear for R.C. beam/column externally strengthened with steel angles and strips are developed. The analytical derivation is made assuming, for axial load and flexure, the equivalent stress-block parameters for internal forces, considering the confinement effects induced in the concrete core by external cages both in the cases of strips or angles yielding. Limit states due to bond failure, concrete crushing and yielding of steel angles and strips in flexure and in shear, including moment-to-shear interaction, are considered. The proposed model gives results in a good agreement with available experimental data an…

Strength and ductility of fiber reinforced concrete corbels subjected to vertical loads

Travetti e solai

L'articolo illustra le diverse tecniche di intervento per il recupero dei solai più diffusi nell'edilizia corrente, evidenziate da un'indagine comparativa sperimentale. Modelli, materiali ed esiti della ricerca.

Influence of FRP wrapping techniques on the compressive behavior of concrete prisms

Abstract Results of an experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of concrete prisms with square cross-section, externally wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets are presented. The effects of the following parameters were analyzed: local reinforcement at the corners and continuous layers; horizontal and vertical discontinuous strips; number of continuous layers—length of specimens. An analytical model is proposed to determine the maximum bearing capacity of compressed concrete members with square cross-section and externally wrapped with FRP for the different configurations examined, and also able to consider the strength reduction with the length increase of…

Behaviour in compression of lightweight fiber reinforced concrete confined with transverse steel reinforcement

Abstract The compressive behavior of lightweight fiber reinforced concrete confined with transverse reinforcement consisting of steel stirrups or spirals was analyzed. Pumice stone and expanded clay aggregates were utilized to decrease the weight of the composite; hooked steel fibers were also added. The investigation was carried out by testing cylindrical and prismatic specimens of different sizes in compression using an open-loop displacement control machine, recording the full load–deformation curves. The influence of the dimensions and shape on the bearing capacity and on the ductility of the specimens confined with transverse steel reinforcements was analyzed. The results show the poss…

One-dimensional members

Modelling steel jacketed RC columns: Remarks by experimental-numerical comparisons

The recent large use of nonlinear seismic assessment techniques requires the definition of highly reliable computational models. The retrofitting or strengthening of RC columns by steel angles and battens is a commonly adopted technique, used to improve strength and deformation capacity of existing RC buildings. In the case of steel angles not directly loaded, the numerical definition of the cross-section model has to be handled carefully since it is affected by more uncertainties. The vertical load carried by the angles is a function of the lateral confinement pressure, the cohesion and the friction coefficient between the materials, parameters which are not always easy to predict. The pap…

Frictional effects in structural behavior of no-end-connected steel-jacketed RC columns: Experimental results and new approaches to model numerical and analytical response

Steel jacketing of reinforced concrete (RC) columns is a common retrofitting technique used to restore bearing and deformation capacity of buildings presenting structural deficiencies. For practical reasons, steel angles are in several cases arranged leaving a gap with the end beams or slabs. Despite this disconnection, the angles are still able to support a non-negligible portion of load because of the frictional forces developed along the column-angle contact interface. In these cases, the definition of computational numerical and analytical models for the assessment of reinforced cross sections becomes more complex and must be handled with care. The actual load-carrying capacity of the a…

Gli infissi in ferro - finestra: una proposta di restauro

Simplified analytical model for bearing capacity of FRC corbels

Comportamento flessionale di colonne in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

Tecnica del sovracarotaggio per pilastri compressi in c.a.

The paper shows the results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of compressed concrete columns subjected to the overcoring technique. Extraction of cylindrical concrete cores in perpendicular direction to the column surface, was achieved by rotary drilling using a diamond tipped hollow barrel. Core is gradually isolated from the stress field in the surrounding concrete and at every advancing step the re-equilibrium deformation response is measured by means of four strain-gauges, placed on its external surface and near the hole. Finally the original stress state is computed in the elastic phase on the basis of recorded strains, knowing the elastic properties of concrete and by …

Compressive behavior of short fibrous reinforced concrete members with square cross-section

In the present paper a mechanical model to predict the compressive response of high strength short concrete columns with square cross-section confined by transverse steel is presented. The model allows one to estimate the equivalent confinement pressures exercised by transverse steel during the loading process taking into account of the interaction of the stirrups with the inner core both in the plane of the stirrups and in the space between two successive stirrups. The lateral pressure distributions at hoop levels are obtained by using a simple model of elastic beam on elastic medium simulating the interaction between stirrups and concrete core, including yielding of steel stirrups and dam…

Compressive behavior of FRP externally wrapped R.C. column with buckling effects of longitudinal bars

Abstract In this paper, a calculation model to simulate the compressive behavior of R.C. columns with square cross-sections externally wrapped with FRP, including buckling effects of the longitudinal bars and reduction of the confinement pressure induced by the buckled compressed bars, is presented and discussed. The model distinguishes the cases of corner and side bars, calculating the different critical lengths and the critical loads. The Teng et al. (2009) model was adopted to predict the compressive behavior of FRP-confined concrete, and the Dhakal and Maekawa (2002) model was taken into account to predict the compressive behavior of longitudinal bars. The critical length and critical s…

Comportamento flessionale di mensole tozze in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato ad alta resistenza

Evaluation of infilled frames: an updated in-plane-stiffness macro-model considering the effects of vertical loads

The influence of masonry infills on the in-plane behaviour of RC framed structures is a central topic in the seismic evaluation and retrofitting of existing buildings. Many models in the literature use an equivalent strut member in order to represent the infill but, among the parameters influencing the equivalent strut behaviour, the effect of vertical loads acting on the frames is recognized but not quantified. Nevertheless a vertical load causes a non-negligible variation in the in-plane behaviour of infilled frames by influencing the effective volume of the infill. This results in a change in the stiffness and strength of the system. This paper presents an equivalent diagonal pin-jointed…

Experimental behavior of concrete filled-columns in compression

Flexural Response of Reinforced Concrete Beam on Elastic Foundation under Vertical Load and Bending Moment: Review of Existing Methods and Proposed New Method

AbstractThis work examined the behavior of a RC beam on a soil foundation subject to concentrated vertical loads and bending moment in both the elastic and the plastic phases. Some of the simplifie...

Simple equations for strength and deformability verification of tubular steel wind turbine towers

Abstract Simple analytical expressions for a preliminary design of tubular steel wind turbine towers under flexure and shear are proposed. Expressions derived included local buckling effects, shear to moment interaction, ovalization of cross-section and inelastic rotation of foundation. A finite-element analysis with ABAQUS program was also conducted for examination of the ovalization effects and for the whole response of steel tube in flexure. Numerical and analytical results were compared with the experimental results of recent studies available in the literature, showing good agreement. The range of variable investigated refers to medium and large size steel wind tower with cylindrical s…

Simplified flexural response of steel-fiber reinforced concrete beams

In the present paper, an analytical model is proposed that is able to determine the flexural response of supported beams under four-point bending tests. Cases of normal strength reinforced concrete beams with longitudinal bars in the presence of reinforcing hooked steel fibers and transverse stirrups are considered. A simplified analytical model is presented that is able to calculate the load-deflection curves and the maximum and ultimate deflections occurring in the case of shear or flexure failures. In the case of shear failure, the maximum shear strength of the beams is evaluated by using a recent analytical expression proposed by the author able to account for the shear-to-moment intera…

Experimental investigation on compressive behavior of bottle-shaped struts

The goal of this investigation was the experimental verification of the dispersion of compression in bottle-shaped struts. Two typical bottle shapes were generated under load in compression concrete—both drilled and undrilled—and were reinforced concrete prismatic members with loading steel plate having a reduced area with respect to the entire cross section of the members. Axial load, and axial and lateral strains were recorded during the tests to evaluate the effects of key parameters. The comparative analysis of the experimental results showed that: 1) the presence of a hole produces a variation on the stress and strain distribution and a reduction in the load-carrying capacity; 2) the r…

Buckling strength of steel tube for lifting telescopic wind steel tower

Abstract A telescopic pole for wind energy production with low environmental impact and its lifting system for a 60–250 kW turbine and a height of 30 m have been designed and manufactured. The tower, was raised and lowered by automation or by remote control, that allows one to differentiate the presence of the generator within the landscape over time. The jacking systems acting on the legs had a combination of holes (on the legs) and pegs actuated by hydraulic pistons. The aim of the paper was the experimental and the analytical verification of the stability condition of the steel piston as a lifting system of the prototype. An experimental investigation was carried out on small-scale speci…

Comportamento flessionale di nodi esterni in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

A softened strut-and-tie macro model able to reproduce the flexural behavior of external beam-tocolumn joints with the presence of horizontal and vertical steel bars, including softening of compressed struts and yielding of main and secondary steel bars, is presented, to be used for the pushover analysis. The model proposed is able to calculate also the flexural response of fibrous reinforced concrete (FRC) beam-to-column sub-assemblages in term of a multilinear load-deflection curves. The model is able to take into account of the tensile behavior of main bars embedded in the surrounding concrete and of the softening of the compressed strut, the arrangement and percentage of the steel bars,…

Influenza delle fibre sul comportamento delle zone diffusive

Analysis of a Collapsed Long-Span Reinforced Concrete Roof in South Italy: Design Mistakes and Material Degradation

In 2004, during ordinary maintenance work, consisting of waterproofing a building located in the south of Italy, the long-span (14.5 m) in situ RC roof partially collapsed. The building, constructed in 1950, was in service as a cinema until 1967 and then utilized as a school until 1985. Lastly, it was a hotel until 2000. In 2004, when the building was not in service and was undergoing maintenance work, it partially collapsed under dead load. After the collapse, which involved a large portion of the roof, several beams, and two columns, the Italian court nominated an official technical consultant to investigate the direct and related causes of the failure. After the main causes were identifi…

Coperture in vetro stratificato: criteri di progettazione

This paper concerns the design activity about laminated glass structures for the evaluation of criteria to optimize the design. This target is reached by using a preliminary study of the normative frame in national and international field. Forward by studying the bibliography on laminated glass structure. Application is on canopy designed by authors. Here are reported the step design procedures starting by definition of load, the restraints condition for structure element and a 3d model is produced by using a FEM method.

INDAGINE SPERIMENTALE SU ELEMENTI IN VETRO STRUTTURALE COMPRESSI

Several experimental investigations in the past few years have highlighted the fact that the compressive strength of glass was significantly higher than its tensile strength, allowing new applications of glass in compression members. However, due to the high slenderness of structural glass elements made of thin glass panels, they tend to fail in a brittle manner. A substantial amount of fundamental research has been carried out in the past few years to investigate the stability behaviour of structural glass elements. However, although buckling of glass panels has been quite well studied, a very poor amount of research has been addressed to glass columns, which by contrast represent the most…

Simplified model for compressive response of RC column footing with square cross-section

Abstract In this paper, a simplified calculus model for the prediction of the compressive response of RC column footing with a square cross-section is presented. As it is well-known RC concrete footing are designed adopting uniform contact pressures on the substrate and assuming a strut and tie model in deep members and a cantilever beam or slab model in flexible members. Deep and flexible members are distinguished in literature only based on the tangent of the angle expressed as the ratio between the depth and the shear span of the footing. In this paper, several subgrade contact pressures distribution for column footings (rigid or soft soils) were considered in developing a mechanical mod…

Ductility of Reinforced Concrete Members Externally Wrapped with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sheets

The effectiveness of external wrapping with fiber-reinforced polymer for enhancing the curvature ductility of lightly reinforced concrete members is investigated. Referring to members with circular transverse cross sections, the performances in terms of both strength and ductility capacities are analyzed, and the predictive reliability of two different recent constitutive models, available in the literature and able to take into account the softening behavior of confined concrete, is checked. A parameter characterizing the effectiveness of the confining wrapping is proposed, and characteristic values are suggested. Moreover, referring to ductility increases due to confinement effects, a com…

Flexural behavior of R.C. columns externally wrapped with FRP sheets

In the present paper the compressive and flexural behavior of R.C. columns externally wrapped with FRP layers is examined. The investigation refers to a short compressed R.C. member having circular transverse cross-section and reinforced with longitudinal bars and transverse hoops or spirals. A first phase of the investigation was addressed to describing the constitutive laws of constituent materials (confined concrete core, steel bars in compression and in tension, FRP in tension). The second phase of the research was addressed to deriving the compressive and flexural responses in terms of load-axial shortening curves and momentaxial force interaction domain, to be compared with experiment…

Influenza delle armature sul comportamento in compressione di colonne in calcestruzzo ad alta resistenza

Experimental investigation on mansory panels manufactured with pumice lightweight concrete

The possibility of using pumice aggregates for concrete in structural applications is discussed. In particular, the mix design of lightweight concrete for the manufacturing masonry units having proper strength, is discussed. Moreover, the design of the unit shape according to the technical code requirements and making it possible to arrange reinforcing steel bars is described. Reinforced bearing masonry walls, made with the concrete units in question, were manufactured and tests on the panels and on the designed units were carried out. For comparison, tests on concrete units and structural elements were carried out after the substitution of pumice aggregates with ordinary lightweight aggreg…

Strength and strain enhancements of concrete columns confined with FRP sheets

The compressive behavior up to failure of short concrete members reinforced with fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) is investigated. Rectangular cross-sections are analysed by means of a simplified elastic model, able also to explain stress-concentration. The model allows one to evaluate the equivalent uniform confining pressure in ultimate conditions referred to the effective confined cross-section and to the effective stresses in FRP along the sides of section; consequently, it makes it possible to determine ultimate strain and the related bearing capacity of the confined member corresponding to FRP failure. The effect of local reinforcements constitute by single strips applied at corners bef…

Closure to Experimental Investigation on Compressive Behavior of Bottle-Shaped Struts

Experimental investigation of the flexural behaviour of short fiber reinforced concrete beams

Steel fiber-reinforced concrete corbels:experimental behavior and shear strength prediction

Corbels are structural members often used in reinforced concrete structures to transfer vertical and horizontal forces to principal members. This paper presents experimental research regarding the flexural behavior of corbels in plain and fibrous concrete and in the presence of steel bars. The study considers the influence of the type of concrete grade (normal- and high-strength concretes), of the fiber percentage and of the arrangement and percentage of the steel bars on the flexural behavior of the corbels. The results in terms of load-deflection curves and crack patterns show the effectiveness in using fibrous reinforced concrete corbels as well as in the presence of stirrups ensuring ad…

Influenza del carotaggio sullo stato tensionale e deformativo di elementi compressi

Practical Model for Load-Carrying Capacity of Eccentrically Loaded Square Column Footings

In this paper, a practical calculus model based on the strut-and-tie approach for prediction of the load-carrying capacity of eccentrically loaded RC column footings with square cross sections is presented. Existing models based on beam or slab models with flexural and two-way slab punching shear failure are presented and discussed. Several subgrade contact pressure distributions for column footings are considered. A parametric analysis of the effects of footing and column dimensions (depth, width), longitudinal ratio of longitudinal steel, and strength of concrete and steel is made for all models examined. Available experimental data are utilized to verify the model in comparison with exis…

Behavior in compression of concrete cylinders externally wrapped with basalt fibers

Abstract This paper gives additional information on the use of new class of composites constituted by Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) bonded with epoxy resin to concrete specimens as an alternative confinement material for compressed concrete members with respect to carbon or glass fibers. From the experimental point of view, concrete cylinders are wrapped with continuous fibers, in the form of sheets, applying both full and partial discrete wrapping with BFRP straps, and then tested in compression. For comparison, few other concrete cylinders are wrapped with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) sheets and tested in compression. The number and type of plies (full or partial wrappi…

Strengthening of Solid Brick Masonry Columns with Joints Collared by Steel Wires

This work presents the results of an experimental investigation on the behavior of columns made of solid clay bricks strengthened by stainless steel wires placed in the joints. The characterization of each constituent property (bricks, mortar, and steel wires) and the compression tests on columns show the effectiveness of the proposed strengthening technique with the result of increased ductility of brick columns. From the analytical point of view a model is proposed which gives the response in terms of the stress-strain curve, by taking into account the presence of steel wires placed in the joints, and the consequences on the effective confinement pressure with the following resulting enha…

Simplified analytical model for flexural response of external R.C. frames with smooth rebars

In this paper an analytical model in a closed form able to reproduce the monotonic flexural response of external RC beam-column joints with smooth rebars is presented. The column is subjected to a constant vertical load and the beam to a monotonically increasing lateral force applied at the tip. The model is based on the flexural behavior of the beam and the column determined adopting a concentrated plasticity hinge model including slippage of the main reinforcing bars of the beam. A simplified bilinear moment-axial force domain is assumed to derive the ultimate moment associated with the design axial force. For the joint, a simple truss model is adopted to predict shear strength and panel …

Shear strength of High-strength concrete beams: modeling and design recommendations

Abstract In the present paper, the flexural and the shear resistance of high strength reinforced concrete (HSC) beams with longitudinal bars, in the presence of transverse stirrups is analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The experimental researches here presented are parts of previous researches carried out by the author. Researches refer to HSC beams with high percentages of steel bars failing in shear and in flexure. From the analytical point of view, a model based on the evaluation of the resistance contribution due to beam and arch actions including bond splitting and concrete crushing failure modes is developed and presented. The model was verified against available experime…

Flexural behavior of laminated glass beams with T cross-sections

Failure Load and Collapse Mode of an RC Beam in a Large Collapsed Roof

The present work focused on the determination of the collapse load and of the failure mode of a collapsed framed structure constructed in the South of Italy and failed in 2004 under its self-weight. Information available was the results on extensive experimental test campaign, for the determination of mechanical properties of concrete and steel bars of beams, floors and columns involved in the failure. Moreover, draws of original design with construction details and design rules valid in Italy at the time of construction were found. A simple monodimensional beam model for prediction of load-deflection curve, able to include degradation of constituent materials (concrete, steel and bond) was…

Influence of concrete cover on the compressive strength of fiber reinforced concrete columns

The paper focuses on the influence of the concrete cover on the strength of confined compressed columns made of fiber reinforced concrete. A mechanical model has been developed based on the ultimate state conditions of concrete core, concrete cover and transverse steel. The cases of plain concrete and fiber reinforced concrete are analysed and focus on the beneficial effects due to the presence of fibers. The model has been verified against data obtained from concentric compressive tests on concrete specimens reinforced with transverse steel and fibers.

Upgrading of existing steel MR-frames by encasing the columns

Engineering failure analysis of corroded R.C. beams in flexure and shear

Abstract In the present paper, a simple model to reproduce the load-deflection response of corroded beams failing in flexure and shear is presented and discussed. Effects of diffused and pitting corrosion on steel bars, compressive concrete strength degradation and concrete bond strength degradation due to rust formation are included in the model. Engineering approach based on limit state theory was here adopted to predict the peak and the residual flexural and shear strength of corroded beams with corresponding deflections and ductility estimation. Calculation of deflection at cracking taking into account of rust formation and deflection at yielding and the ultimate state taking into accou…

Brick Masonry Columns Externally Wrapped with Steel Wires under Concentric and Eccentric Loads

This paper discusses an experimental investigation of clay brick columns that are externally strengthened by steel wire collars wrapping the horizontal mortar joints. The study aims to prove the effectiveness of the proposed strengthening technique and detect the efficiency of different numbers of steel collars. Additionally, the effect of eccentric loading is investigated. This paper proves that an analytical expression available in the previous literature can be modified to provide the strength of the equivalent homogeneous cross section in simple compression. To this aim, the biaxial strength domain of the bricks is modified to account for the lateral pressure exerted by the steel collar…

Comportamento sperimentale di regioni diffusive di elementi in c.a.

Nel presente lavoro si esamina il comportamento in compressione di pilastri in calcestruzzo ordinario con e senza armature e soggetti a carichi applicati su aree ridotte in assenza ed in presenza di fori praticati per l’effettuazione di indagini non distruttive. I risultati ottenuti hanno mostrato che la diminuzione dell’area di impronta del carico rispetto all’intera sezione trasversale dei pilastri o la presenza di un foro riduce la capacità potante dell’elemento ed infragilisce la risposta strutturale. Dal punto di vista teorico modelli disponibili in letteratura forniscono sulla base di adeguati schemi resistenti tirante-puntone valori del carico di rottura prossimi a quelli rilevati sp…

Indagine sperimentale su travi in calcestruzzo fibroso sottoposte a carichi monotonici e ciclici

Comportamento in pressoflessione di pilastri in c.a. rinforzati con la tecnica dell'incamiciatura leggera

Structural behaviour of hybrid glass beams with T cross-sections

Abstract An experimental investigation regarding the flexural and the shear behaviour of glass beams with length 900, 1300, 1700 mm and T cross-section is presented and discussed. T cross-sections were obtained by assembling glass web and glass flange. Some specimens were also reinforced internally in the web with steel plates of thickness 6 mm and depth 25 and 50 mm placed at the bottom portion of the beams for the entire length of the beams themselves. Three specimens for each investigated series were tested in flexure focusing on the flexural and shear response through the determination of the load-deflection curves and the crack patterns at rupture identifying the effects of steel plate…

Flexural behavior of hybrid glass beams with rectangular cross-sections

Abstract An experimental investigation regarding the flexural and the shear behavior of glass beams with length 900, 1300, 1700 mm and rectangular cross-section is presented and discussed. Rectangular cross-sections were obtained by assembling three float glass panels of depth 200 mm and thickness 6 mm through an acrylic adhesive with an effective depth of 19.52 mm (6 + 0.76 + 6 + 0.76 + 6 mm). Some specimens were also reinforced internally with steel plates of thickness 6 mm and depth 25 mm and thickness 6 mm and plates of thickness 6 mm and depth 50 mm placed at the bottom portion of the beams for the entire length of the beams themselves. Three specimens for each investigated series were…

Shear strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams with stirrups

The present paper proposes a semi-empirical analytical expression that is capable of determining the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams with longitudinal bars, in the presence of reinforcing fibers and transverse stirrups. The expression is based on an evaluation of the strength contribution of beam and arch actions and it makes it possible to take their interaction with the fibers into account. For the strength contribution of stirrups, the effective stress reached at beam failure was considered by introducing an effectiveness function. This function shows the share of beam action strength contribution on the global strength of the beam calculated including the effect of fibers. T…

Mechanical properties of steel fibre reinforced lightweight concrete with pumice stone or expanded clay aggregates

This paper presents basic information on the mechanical properties of steel fibre-reinforced light-weight concrete, manufactured using pumice stone or expanded clay aggregates. Results are presented for standard compressive tests and indirect tensile tests (splitting tests on cylinder specimens and flexure tests on prismatic beams using a three-point loading arrangement) under monotonically increasing or cyclically varying loads. The influence of steel fibres and aggregate types on modulus of elasticity, compressive and tensile strength and post-peak behaviour is evaluated. Test results show that compressive strength does not change for pumice stone aggregates, while an increase is observed…

Size Effect in Compression of High Strength Fibre Reinforced Concrete Cylinders Subjected to Concentric and Eccentric Loads

Testing of “Global Young's Modulus E” on a rehabilitated masonry bell tower in Venice

Abstract This paper shows the effectiveness of the techniques chosen for the rehabilitation of the historic “Sant'Andrea” masonry bell-tower in Venice. The achieved rehabilitation projects based on the indenting technique consisting in removing and replacing bricks in bad conditions, and on the isolation of the bells at the belfry quote, respect all the constraints represented by the aesthetic and structural features of the building. Moreover, the experimental analyses used to define the existing state of the structure are described in detail. The tower is also an interesting case study for the validation of the proposed method to determine the global young's modulus in a rehabilitated maso…

Risk of failure for the salso river railroad steel bridge

Abstract The degradation state of railroad steel bridges is one of the most important and difficult aspects to be interpreted. The use of steel bridges started from 1900, and they are still in service today as railroad bridges. The case study examined was that of a bridge railroad steel bridge having a total length of 112 m and constituted by three isostatic, reticular beams having a Pratt type composition. The substructures (two shoulders and two intermediate piles) are in masonry with a reinforced concrete beam in the upper portion. The structure (steel bridge and piers) is in a degraded state. To determine the degradation level, non-destructive and partially destructive tests were carrie…

Flexural and Shear Resistance of High Strength Concrete Beams

In the present paper, an analytical model is proposed that is able to determine the shear resistance of high strength reinforced concrete beams with longitudinal bars, in the presence of transverse stirrups. The model is based on the evaluation of the resistance contribution due to beam and arch actions. For the resistance contribution of the main bars in tension the residual bond adherence of steel bars and the crack spacing of R.C. beams are considered. The compressive strength of the compressed arch is also verified by taking into account of the biaxial state of stresses. The model was verified on the basis of experimental data available in the literature and it is able to include the fo…

Shear strength of reinforced concrete beams with fibers and stirrups

Analytical model for high-strength concrete columns with square cross-section

In the present paper a mechanical model to predict the compressive response of high strength short concrete columns with square cross-section confined by transverse steel is presented. The model allows one to estimate the equivalent confinement pressures exercised by transverse steel during the loading process taking into account of the interaction of the stirrups with the inner core both in the plane of the stirrups and in the space between two successive stirrups. The lateral pressure distributions at hoop levels are obtained by using a simple model of elastic beam on elastic medium simulating the interaction between stirrups and concrete core, including yielding of steel stirrups and dam…

Practical Calculation Models for Column Footing and Comparison with Experimental Data

In this paper, a simplified calculation model for the prediction of the load-carrying capacity of an RC column footing with a square cross section is presented. A detailed background of available experimental data and existing models for the prediction of the load-carrying capacity of slender and deep footings is presented. Cases of flexural failure and punching shear failures for slender footing and concrete strut crushing and tie yielding in deep members are analyzed. The aim of the paper is to propose a simple design formula for slender and deep footing verified by available experimental data and in agreement with other existing expressions. Expressions of the maximum mechanical ratio of…

Flexural Behavior of Glass Beams with T and I Shape Cross Sections

AbstractGlass beams having T or I cross sections can be obtained as glass panels or laminated glass (LG) panels assembled with polymer adhesives of different types, such as semirigid (silicones, mo...

Effect of progressive collapse of central column on the push-down response of two-span beam-column substructures

Abstract In this paper, a simplified model is proposed for hand calculation of the push-down curve of reinforced two-span beam-column substructures with the mid-span column subjected to a vertical load inducing progressive collapse response. The model takes into account the flexural, arch and catenary strength mechanisms and the axial stiffness of RC compressed columns. The model was validated against experimental data available in the literature. The expressions derived, in a closed form, were useful for hand calculation of push-down responses and robustness evaluation of RC framed structures. The derived explicit expressions can be applied in a step-by-step manner for tracing nonlinear be…

L’USO DI ANGOLARI IN ACCIAIO INOX PER IL COLLEGAMENTO DI ELEMENTI STRUTTURALI IN VETRO

Influenza del coefficiente di poisson sul comportamento in compressione di colonne composte acciaio-calcestruzzo a sezione circolare

In the paper an analytical model able to predict the whole compressive response of stub CFT subjected to uniaxial compression is presented and discussed. Cases examined re-ferred to member with circular cross-section having length 400 mm and diameter ranging be-tween 88.9 and 457 mm and wall thickness between 6 and 8 mm. Two steel grades of 275 and 460 MPa yielding stress were examined and four concrete grades were investigated (20, 28, 40 and 45 MPa). The proposed model take into account of the variable confined pressures exercised by steel wall on concrete core and of the biaxial state of stresses induced in steel wall. The model was verified both in term of load-shortening curves with da…

Influence of radius of corners in concrete columns confined with FRP sheets

Strength and Ductility of Hollow Circular Steel Columns Filled with Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the behavior of hollow circular steel cross-sections filled with Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC), subjected to monotonic loads. The casting of different types of composite members—steel columns, steel columns filled with Normal Strength Concrete (NSC), and steel columns filled with Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) was employed. The columns were tested in uniaxial compression utilizing a universal testing machine operating in displacement control. The maximum strength of composite members filled with FRC was 20% higher than that recorded for steel pipes filled with FRC. After the peak load was reached, failure was due to the crushing of concrete and…

INFLUENZA DEL DIAMETRO DEL FORO SUL COMPORTAMENTO IN COMPRESSIONE DI COLONNE IN C.A.

Core-drilling technique is nowadays always more frequently performed in existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures in order to investigate on the mechanical properties of concrete and for structural health monitoring purposes. Even if the engineering practice discourages to drill columns, this can be often unavoidable. In this last case the presence of the circular opening influences the compressive behavior of the column in terms of load-carrying capacity and axial deformability. The goal of this investigation was the experimental evaluation of the effects induced by circular openings on the behavior of RC columns. 24 reinforced and plain concrete prisms in presence of circular openings …

Elementi compressi in calcestruzzo rinforzati con angolari e piatti metallici:modello di calcolo e riferimenti nomrativi

Degraded Gerber Saddles in RC Bridges

Sudden failure of reinforced concrete (RC) or prestressed concrete (PC) Gerber saddles of bridges and viaducts has occurred all around in the word in the last few years due to corrosion of steel bars. The danger of sudden and brittle failure is often due to general and pitting corrosion of steel bars, concrete crushing, and loss of bond in steel bars. In this paper, the flexural response of reinforced concrete Gerber supports under their self-weight with or without service loads was investigated through determination of the load-deflection response of beams, with the focus on the consequences of pitting corrosion and loss of bond in steel bars. A simplified strut-and-tie model was developed…

Strength and strain capacities of concrete compression members reinforced with FRP

The analytical compressive behavior of concrete members reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) was examined. The variation in the shape of the transverse cross-section was analyzed. The bearing capacity and the increase in the maximum strain for members having a cross-section which was circular, square or square with round corners reinforced with FRP were determined. The proposed analytical model allows one to evaluate the confining pressure in ultimate conditions considering the effective confined cross-section and also allows one to determine the ultimate strain corresponding to FRP failure through a simplified energetic approach. Analytical results are then compared to experiment…

FRP sheets for externally wrapping of compressed concrete members

Analytical prediction of load deflection curves of external steel fibers R/C beam–column joints under monotonic loading

Abstract In this paper a simplified analytical model able to reproduce the flexural behavior of external beam–column joints under monotonic loading is presented, to be used for pushover analysis. The subassemblage (beam, column and joint) is subjected to a constant vertical load acting on the column and to a monotonically increasing lateral force applied at the tip of the beam. The model is specific for hooked steel fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and is designed to calculate the flexural response in the form of a load–deflection curve, of beam–column subassemblages. No bond failure and shear deformations are considered in the present paper. The model includes shear-to-moment interaction fo…

Some comments on the experimental behavior of FRC beams in flexure

In the present paper the experimental results, recently obtained by the authors, regarding the monotonic and the cyclic flexural response of normal and high-strength concrete beams reinforced with steel bars and discontinuous fibers, are shown. From the experimental results, all referred to low values of shear-to-depth ratios, it emerges clearly that the shear failure is brittle especially under cyclic actions highlighting the role of the fibers in the flexural behavior of the beams. The cyclic action produces a significant decay in the stiffness and in the strength capacity of the beams, and the addition of fibers reduces these negative effects. Form theoretical point of view good agreemen…

Risk of failure in existing RC balcony and strength verification under degradation phenomena

Abstract In the present paper, the safety conditions of reinforced concrete (RC) balconies subject to degradation phenomena caused by carbonation, presence of chlorides or water infiltration were examined. After a brief review of the typical damages of balconies occurring with detachments of plaster and bricks expulsion, some cases of collapses of balconies recently occurred were presented. Therefore, a calculation model was proposed for a hand verification of the flexural and shear strength of existing corroded T beams cast in place of lightened RC orthotropic slabs forming the balcony and for the calculus of deflection including slippage of steel bars. Diffused and pitting corrosion on st…

Some recent results on the compressive and flexural behaviour of composite members

Experiemntal results from compression and flexural tests on steel tubulare columns having circular or rectangular transverse cross-section and infilled with plain or fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) are analysez. for composite members differenti lengths and different dimensions of transverse cross-section were considered in order to assess the influence on behavior in flexure and in compression.The fiber investigated with different percentage were syntetic, carbon and deformed steel fibers. The constituent materials were characterised through compressive and split tests on conconcrete cylinders. Load.shortning and load-delection curves were determined including the sotnening response. Simpli…

Il festino di Palermo e le strutture del carro di S. Rosalia

Structural Analysis, Retrofitting Design, and In Situ Control of Permanently Damaged Long-Span Timber Beams of a Historical Building in the South of Italy

AbstractIn 2018, under service conditions, excessive deflections were observed in the long-span timber beams of the first floor of the former Saint Elisabeth Monastery in Palermo (Italy). The build...

Compressive behavior of short high-strength concrete columns

Abstract The focus of the present paper is the compressive response of short high strength reinforced concrete members. Members have square transverse cross-sections and they are reinforced with longitudinal steel bars and transverse stirrups. A preliminary analysis to check the stability condition of longitudinal bars was made to verify that buckling occurs after yielding in compression. Prescriptions on required diameter and spacing of stirrups are given. In the following, a model is presented which allows us to evaluate the confinement pressures exercised by transverse steel and by longitudinal bars during the loading process taking into account the interaction of the stirrups with the i…

In-situ NDT testing procedure as an integral part of failure analysis of historical masonry arch bridges

Abstract A nineteenth-century masonry arch bridge was analyzed as an illustrative example to explain the role of in-situ test campaigns in failure analysis and retrofit design. Test results were studied to find out the advantages of each technique, with the aim of proposing an optimized in-situ testing procedure. Standard static penetrometer, flat jack, thermographic and georadar in-situ tests were conducted. Traffic effects were analyzed by means of vibrational tests. The experimental analysis performed to investigate damage on the bridge structures shows the degree of reliability offered by each technique in evaluating specific information and reproducing the global behavior of the struct…

Simplified Model for Compressive Behavior of Concrete Columns Strengthened by Steel Angles and Strips

This paper presents an analytical model to determine the compressive response of concrete members, having a square transverse cross section and reinforced with steel angles at the corners and steel strips connecting the steel angles. The model evaluates the effects of transverse strips and steel angles on confinement pressures, including strength and buckling phenomena. Compressive response was evaluated in cases of directly and indirectly loaded elements. The data produced correlate well with available experimental data.

Effects of circular openings on the compressive behaviour of R.C. columns

Core-drilling technique is nowadays always more frequently performed in existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures in order to investigate on the mechanical properties of concrete and for structural health monitoring purposes. Even if the engineering practice discourages to drill columns, this can be often unavoidable. In this last case the presence of the circular opening influences the compressive behavior of the column in terms of load-carrying capacity and axial deformability. The goal of this investigation was the experimental evaluation of the effects induced by circular openings on the behavior of RC columns. Twenty-four reinforced and plain concrete prisms in presence of circular …

Hand verification for flexural strength of existing R.C. floors subject to degradation phenomena

Abstract In the present paper, a simplified model for hand verification of the flexural and shear strength of existing corroded T beams cast in place of lightened R.C. orthotropic slabs forming floors is presented and discussed. Diffused and pitting corrosion on steel bars, compressive concrete strength degradation and concrete bond strength degradation are included in the model. The original contribution of the paper is evaluation of the flexural and shear strength considering both the cases of strain compatibility and absence of compatibility and considering the main parameters governing the corrosion process. An arch-resistant model for the calculus of the flexural and shear strength of …

Steel-concrete bond in lightweight fiber reinforced concrete under monotonic and cyclic actions

Experimental results of the local bond stress-slip relationship of reinforcing bars embedded in lightweight fiber reinforced concrete with expanded clay aggregates are presented. The effect of the following parameters were investigated: - dimension of specimens; - anchorage length; - percentages of hooked steel fibers; - geometrical ratio of transverse reinforcement; - confinement external transverse pressure. Prismatic specimens with deformed steel bars embedded for a fixed length equal to five and eight equivalent diameters were tested under both monotonic and cyclic reversal imposed displacements at the tip of the bars, in controlled displacement tests. The influence of the above mention…

Laminated Glass Members in Compression: Experiments and Modeling

It is well known that structural glass members are made by assembling thin laminated panels, which can be connected with different bonding techniques; for instance, with steel devices or with structural adhesives. The latter are very commonly used because they do not reduce the transparency of the member and make it possible to avoid stress concentrations because of the presence of holes. This technique is used to make up columns in glazing structures and different applications of the technique can be found in contemporary architecture. As evidenced by the literature, one of the most important problems in such members is caused by buckling phenomena, resulting from the slenderness of the pa…

L'uso di elementi in acciaio per la messa a punto di un set-up di prova per lastre di vetro strutturale di grandi dimensioni

Comportamento ciclico di travi in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

Experimental investigation on local bond-slip behaviour in lightweight fiber reinforced concrete under cyclic actions

Shear and flexural strength of corroded R.C. beams

Simplified equations aimed at evaluating the flexural and shear capacity of corroded R.C. beams are presented and discussed in this paper, with reference to ordinary beams reinforced both longitudinally (with same-size bars) and transversely (with stirrups). A model is developed to take care of diffused and localised corrosion (pitting corrosion), concrete decay in compression and bond-strength decay at concrete-reinforcement interface. A fairly innovative contribution of this study is the introduction into the proposed equations of the main parameters governing the corrosion processes. The proposed approach is simple and effective, and may be adopted in the assessment of many damaged struc…

Analytical Prediction of the Flexural Response of External RC Joints with Smooth Rebars

Nel presente lavoro viene presentato un modello analitico in forma chiusa in grado di riprodurre la risposta flessionale monotonica di nodi esterni trave-colonna in c.a. con armature lisce. La colonna viene sottoposta a carico verti-cale costante e la trave ad una forza laterale crescente monotonicamente applicata all’estremità. Il modello si basa sul comportamen-to flessionale di trave e colonna adottando un modello di cerniera plasticità concentrata che include lo scorrimento delle armature della trave. Si assume un dominio sforzo normale-momento bilineare semplificato da cui viene derivato il momento ultimo associato alla forza assiale di progetto. Per il nodo viene adottato un modello c…

Flexural behaviour of glass panels under dead load and uniform lateral pressure

Abstract In the present paper the experimental results relative to flexural tests on out-of-plane loaded large scale panels made of laminated structural glass are presented and discussed. Glass panels are parts of the structural facade of the Fontanarossa International Airport of Catania (Italy). Panels are mounted on a rigid testing frame and loaded with an uniformly distributed lateral pressure. Two different kinds of tests were carried-out, cyclic and monotonic, able to reproduce the serviceability and the ultimate conditions of the glass panels when subjected to the coupled effects of dead load and horizontal forces, the latter reproducing the wind action. Results obtained focused the h…

The use of pumice lightweight concrete for masonry applications

In the last two decades, the use of pumice as lightweight aggregate for concrete in structural applications has been the object of different studies. The aim was to find out if pumice can be an alternative to ordinary lightweight aggregate. The present paper is framed in this context. Here, a study is presented showing the use of pumice for making lightweight concrete units for masonry members. Through the paper, the formulation of a mix design for lightweight concrete is proposed. Then the obtained mechanical characteristics of the masonry units are discussed and compared to the code requirements. Reinforced bearing masonry walls, made with the concrete masonry units in question, were made…

Resistenza e duttilità di colonne compresse in calcestruzzo ad alta resistenza

Simplified analytical model for flexural response of FRC corbels

Advanced Strategies and Materials for Reinforcing Normal and Disturbed Regions in Brick Masonry Columns

This work presents the results of an experimental investigation on the behavior of 42 solid clay brick masonry columns internally strengthened by fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) fabrics or stainless steel grids placed in horizontal mortar joints. In some cases, every course, and in other cases, alternate courses were reinforced with steel grids, carbon, and basalt FRP fabrics. Monotonic compressive loading tests were carried out under concentric and eccentric loads. Eccentric tests were carried out by loading the specimens on a reduced area with respect to the entire cross section, producing a disturbed region (D-region). A detailed characterization of the constituent materials was made expe…

Moment-Axial Domain of Corroded R.C. Columns

In the present paper, a simplified model to determine the moment-axial force domain of the cross-section of reinforced concrete columns subjected to corrosion process is presented. The model considers members with square and rectangular cross-sections and it accounts for cover spalling, buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars, loss of bond of bar in tension, reduction of confinement pressures (due to the reduction of the area of stirrups and cracking of concrete induced by rust formation). The analytical expressions for prediction of the area reduction of steel, bond strength and critical load of longitudinal bars utilized were verified against experimental data available literature.

Comportamento flessionale di mensole tozze in calcestruzzo fibrorinforzato

Moment-axial force domain of corroded R.C. columns

In the present paper, a simple model to determine the moment-axial force domain of the cross-section of reinforced concrete (R.C.) columns subjected to corrosion process is presented. The model considers members with square and rectangular cross-sections and it accounts for—cover spalling; buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars; loss of bond of bar in tension; reduction of confinement pressures (due to the reduction of the area of stirrups and cracking of concrete induced by rust formation). The analytical expressions for prediction of the area reduction of steel, bond strength and critical load of longitudinal bars utilized were verified against experimental data available in the litera…

Biaxial deformation and ductility domains for engineered rectangular RC cross-sections: A parametric study highlighting the positive roles of axial load, geometry and materials

Abstract Axial load and biaxial bending strongly influence the deformation capacity of column cross-sections, in most cases causing a non-negligible loss of curvature and ductility with respect to the case of pure bending along principal axes, commonly assumed as the basic condition to assess the inelastic capacity. In consideration of this the paper investigates the biaxial deformation performance of RC rectangular cross-sections belonging to one-dimensional elements, focusing on the influence of some parameters as the cross-section aspect ratio and the distribution of the rebars, as well as the mechanical characteristics of concrete and steel and the impact of biaxial/axial stresses. In t…

Behaviour of concrete deep beams with openings and low shear span-to-depth ratio

Abstract The goal of this study is to experimentally and analytically evaluate the influence of circular openings in reinforced concrete deep beams with low shear span-to-depth ratio. Twenty reinforced concrete small-scale deep beams with or without openings were tested in flexure under four-point loading. The beams had a small shear span-to-depth ratio in order to stress the shear behavior. The specimens had different reinforcement arrangements and opening positions. The load was transmitted to the specimen with bearing plates having the same side length as the beam. Two LVDT’s were arranged to record the transverse and axial strain of the theoretical struts forming in the beam. Additional…

Effects of Air Tightness Tests on Steel Thin-Wall Box Structures with Circular and Rectangular Cross Sections

In this paper, the effects of air tightness tests on steel box structures with rectangular or circular cross sections typical of port cranes (legs, arms, and crosspieces) are analyzed. Legs and arms are generally made with elements with profiles having a square or rectangular cross section, while the diagonal struts are made with profiles having circular cross sections. To verify the air tightness of these elements, a necessary requirement to protect them from corrosion if they are not protected with other protection techniques, air tightness tests are performed. These tests, in the framework of durability tests, must be carried out while maintaining the structure elasticity well below the …

Shear and flexural strength prediction of corroded R.C. beams

Abstract The purpose of the work was the study of the structural safety of R.C. beams subjected to corrosion processes though the derivation of moment-curvature diagrams and moment-to-shear interaction diagrams. Normal-strength reinforced concrete beams with longitudinal bars in the presence of transverse stirrups and subjected to corrosion processed are considered. Experimental results available in the literature related to corrosion processes, for steel bars, crack openings and bond degradation due to rust formation are reviewed. Then analytical laws relating to crack opening, bond degradation with attack penetration depth, through a rearranged form of Faraday’s law, are presented. An ana…

Fibrous reinforced concrete beams in flexure: Experimental investigation, analytical modelling and design considerations

Abstract The flexural behavior of plain and fibrous reinforced concrete (FRC) beams under monotonic and cyclic actions was analysed. Twelve beams were reinforced with top and bottom longitudinal deformed steel bars and transverse steel stirrups. Concrete, having 30 MPa cylindrical strength, was reinforced with hooked steel fibres at a volume percentage of 1%. Beams, 600 mm in length and with a square side cross-section of 150 mm, were tested in flexure using a three point bending test, adopting three different cover thicknesses of 5, 15 and 25 mm, respectively. The results obtained show that the addition of fibers increases the bearing capacity of the beams and ensures more ductile behaviou…

Simplified Model of PC Concrete Beams with Corroded Strands in Highway Viaduct: Case Study and Analytical Modeling

AbstractIn this paper, several cases of failure of prestressed reinforced concrete (PC) beams of a viaduct in Italy due to cable corrosion are presented. Therefore, a simplified model to determine ...

Performance of Steel Fibrous Reinforced Concrete Corbels Subjected to Vertical and Horizontal Loads

A softened strut-and-tie macromodel able to reproduce the flexural behavior of corbels in plain and fibrous concrete and with the presence of steel bars, including softening of compressed struts and yielding of main and secondary steel bars, is presented in this paper. The main focus of the proposed model is the determination of the load-deflection curves of corbels subjected to the coupled effects of vertical and horizontal forces bearing in mind the influence of the type of concrete (normal or high strength), of the fiber percentage and of the arrangement and percentage of the main and secondary (horizontal stirrup) steel bars. A validation of the proposed model is made therefore with ref…

Excessive Deflection in Long-Span Timber Beams of a Historical Building in the South of Italy: Analysis and Retrofitting Design

AbstractIn 2018, under service conditions, excessive deflections were observed in the long-span timber beams of the first floor of the former Sant’Elisabetta Monastery in Palermo (Italy). The build...