Strengthening of lightweight reinforced concrete slabs using different techniques

摘要

The present study examines the potential of using four different techniques in repairing and strengthening of preloaded, cracked, lightweight, reinforced concrete one-way solid slabs. Nineteen lightweight reinforced concrete (LWRC) slabs specimens were casted with one-third scale dimensions from prototype structure in buildings. The slabs dimensions were 1.2 m in length and cross section of (70 × 500) mm in depth and width. The slabs were reinforced with 3φ10 for the main reinforcement and tested under a four-point loading system. The tested slabs were divided into two groups according to preloading level to study the effect of cracking level. Two preloadings were selected, i.e. 60% and 80% from the ultimate load. The strengthening techniques used were ferrocement layer, steel plate, carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) sheets and CFRP strips. The slabs were loaded up to failure and the structural response of each slab specimen was predicted in terms of the onset of cracking, deflection, collapse load and failure mode. The efficiency of different repair and strengthening techniques and their effects on the structural behaviour of cracked concrete slab had been analysed. It was observed that the type of strengthening technique used affect the load carrying capacity, deflection, stiffness and toughness of the slab. All repair techniques were found to be able to restore and enhance the structural capacity of cracked concrete slabs. The enhancement ratio is found to be affected by the preloading or the cracking level.