Authors : Mohammed Mahmood, Wissam D. Salman and Huda Mubarak
Abstract: This study presents the experimental results, observations and evaluation from an investigation looking into the effect of different strengthening techniques on the behaviour of one-way reinforced concrete slab. The research aims to propose recommendations for the best strengthening method to achieve the optimum performance of one-way slabs. Results indicate that the stiffness of the strengthening layer must not be more than 1/38 of the stiffness of the strengthened element to avoid brittle failure. Two modes of failure were observed: flexural ductile failure and brittle shear failure in addition to debonding of CFRP layers. The improvement in the initial cracking load is always higher than that in the ultimate load. To achieve the optimum performance of the slab in terms of strength, stiffness and ductility, the width of the steel plate should be equal to the width of the slab and the thickness of the steel plate must not be more than t/64 where t is the slab thickness. It is recommended to not strengthen one-way reinforced concrete slabs by ferrocement as the specimens strengthened by ferrocement did not show noticeable improvement in the strength and stiffness.
Mohammed Mahmood, Wissam D. Salman and Huda Mubarak, 2019. Improving the Flexural Capacity of Reinforced Concrete One-Way Slabs by Different Techniques. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 6769-6776.