Flexural and Cyclic Behavior of RC Beams Retrofitted with Externally Bonded SIFCON and SIMCON Laminates.

The aim of the research work is to present the results of experimental and analytical studies concerning the static and cyclic behavior of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with externally bonded cementitious composites-Slurry Infiltrated Fiber CONcrete (SIFCON) and Slurry Infiltrated Mat CONcrete (SIMCON). A total of 20 beams of size 125 mm width × 250 mm depth × 3,200 mm length with effective span of 3,000 mm are cast and tested in the laboratory. The laminates of size 125 mm width × 25 mm depth × 2,950 mm length are bonded in between the beam supports. Four of them are control specimens. The study considers two series (series 1 and series 2) of SIFCON and SIMCON retrofitting systems. Static and cyclic responses of all the beams were evaluated in terms of strength, stiffness, ductility ratio, energy absorption capacity factor, compositeness between laminate and concrete, and the associated failure modes. The theoretical moment-curvature relationship for the test specimen and the load-displacement response of the strengthened beams and control beams were predicted by using FEA software ANSYS. A comparison was made between the numerical (ANSYS) with the experimental and theoretical results. Regression analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software and validation of present research was done with the data available in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]