Experimental study on Shear behaviors of RC beams strengthened with ECC layers

Abstract

The experimental study on shear behaviors of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally strengthened with Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) layers were conducted and analyzed. The RC beams were designed and fabricated without stirrups. ECC was sprayed onto the sides of the beams to the designed thicknesses which were 20 mm, and 40 mm. A series of four-point bending experiments were performed to study and analyze the shear behavior of the specimens. The thickness of ECC layers and shear span-to-depth ratios were considered and analyzed. It is an effective way for the shear strengthening of RC beams with ECC layers. The ECC layers’ thickness should be restricted to override the debonding between ECC layers and RC beam or to strengthen an RC beam into an under reinforced one. Fibre Bragg Grating sensors can be used to measure the development of shear strain of the strengthened specimens.