Search results for "REINFORCED"
showing 10 items of 236 documents
Structural performances of pultruded GFRP emergency structures – Part 1: Experimental characterization of materials and substructure
2019
Abstract This paper presents an experimental study in the field of structures made of pultruded fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) elements to be used for emergency purposes. A preliminary design of a 3D pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer structure is presented with the mechanical characterization of the constituting elements. The axial and flexural properties of laminate and I-shaped GRFP profiles are discussed considering the short term creep. In a companion paper, the benefits, the limits and the reliability of the structure analyzed for emergency applications are discussed. In details, the numerical structural analysis of the full-scale 3D model is described followed by the experimen…
Effect of silane coupling treatment on the adhesion between polyamide and epoxy based composites reinforced with carbon fibers
2020
The increasing efforts aimed to design structures with reduced weight and better mechanical performances has led in recent years to a growing use of fiber reinforced polymer materials in several fields such as marine. However, these materials can be composed of chemically very different elements and, hence, may be difficult to joint. This research aims to improve the adhesion between a thermoplastic matrix of polyamide reinforced with short carbon fibers (PA12-CR) and a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy matrix (CFRP). Two different silane coupling agents, (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (AM) and (3-Glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (EP), were applied, through the spray deposition method, on th…
Increasing the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams using pretensioned stainless steel ribbons
2017
In this work, the second part of an experimental campaign investigating the efficiency of an alternative retrofitting method for increasing the flexural and/or shear capacity in reinforced concrete beams, based on the use of prestressed stainless steel ribbons and steel angles, is presented and analytically reproduced. This group of tests focuses on the ability of the adopted retrofitting method to improve the shear strength and ultimate deformation of reinforced concrete structural elements. As described in a companion paper, the adopted retrofitting method is alternative to traditional techniques of reinforced concrete retrofitting, being easy to install and usually reversible, and charac…
Advanced Strategies and Materials for Reinforcing Normal and Disturbed Regions in Brick Masonry Columns
2016
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…
Ultrasonic inspection for the detection of debonding in CFRP-reinforced concrete
2017
Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites are extensively used to retrofit civil structures. However, the quality and the characteristics of the bond between the FRP and the structure are critical to ensure the efficacy of the retrofit. For this reason, effective non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods are often necessary to assess the bonding conditions. This article presents an ultrasonic technique for detecting defects at the FRP-substrate interface. The technique uses the Akaike Information Criterion, to detect automatically the onset of the ultrasonic signals, and the novel Equivalent Time Lenght (ETL) parameter, to quantify the energy of the propagating ultrasonic signals along the i…
Experimental investigation on the effect of mortar grade on the compressive behaviour of FRCM confined masonry columns
2018
Abstract The use of Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Mortar (FRCM) systems for structural retrofitting of masonry structures has become increasingly popular in the last years, due to the capability of this technique in overcoming some of the drawbacks related to the adoption of resin-based composites. Recent studies investigated on the effect of FRCM wraps on the compressive behaviour of concrete members and demonstrated as the application of mortar-based composites allows increasing the strength and, above all, the ductility of the column. The main difference with FRP confined columns is related to the different post-peak behaviour, characterized by a softening branch. Differently, few studie…
Comparative experimental analysis on the compressive behaviour of masonry columns strengthened by FRP, BFRCM or steel wires
2017
Abstract In the last decade, several studies have investigated the application of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wraps to masonry piers in order to provide a confinement effect and enhance compressive strength and ductility. Although this technique has proved to be quite effective, various drawbacks arise when organic resins are used to bind fibres. To solve these problems, different techniques have been developed to be used as alternative methods for enhancing the structural performances of weak masonry columns. Among these, the use of Basalt Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (BFRCM) wrapping, or the application of steel wires at mortar joints. This paper presents the results of an expe…
Pumice concrete for structural wall panels
2003
Some properties of lightweight pumice stone concrete (LWPSC) are discussed, on account of a possible structural use of this material. Then the results of an experimental investigation are described, in order to show that pumice can really be considered an alternative to common artificial lightweight aggregates, taking into account the performance pointed out by loading tests carried out on structural systems made of LWPSC. Three different kinds of reinforced wall panels were made using LWPSC, lightweight expanded clay concrete and normal weight concrete; then their structural responses under horizontal cyclic and constant vertical forces were compared, above all with reference to lateral st…
Compressive behavior of FRP externally wrapped R.C. column with buckling effects of longitudinal bars
2018
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…
Flexural behaviour of glulam timber beams reinforced with FRP cords
2015
Abstract Glued laminated timber (glulam) is widely used as a construction material to make up lightweight and large span structures. The basic principle of this material consists in bonding together a number of layers of dimensioned timber with structural adhesives, in order to increase strength and stiffness of the member, and allowing to make up sustainable structures with great visual impact. Recent applications showed the effectiveness of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in enhancing the structural performances of glulam beams, with particular reference on their flexural and shear strength. In fact FRP reinforcements could be used to strengthen existing structures or to reduce …