Abstract
Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate a hybrid reinforcement method for concrete beams, which consists of steel rebars and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) uniaxial geogrids, by developing an experimental comparative investigation between utilizing different grades and layers of HDPE uniaxial geogrids as the primary reinforcement or as extra reinforcement to the steel rebars. The experiments for this investigation included 24 reinforced concrete beams in order to provide rich data for the flexural behavior analysis and design approach. For a detailed analysis, strain gauges were connected to steel rebars and HDPE uniaxial geogrids. Analysis of the results shows that the hybrid reinforcement method using steel rebars and HDPE uniaxial geogrids provided greater benefits (such as energy absorption capacity, ductility index, ultimate load, and steel-yield load) and more effective utilization (such as better flexural performance, lower deformation values corresponding to the steel-yield load, and greater benefits to cost ratios) than utilizing HDPE uniaxial geogrids as the primary reinforcement or utilizing the conventional reinforcement of steel rebars. Simple design equations were added to calculate the flexural bending capacity, the necessary HDPE uniaxial geogrids’ grade, and the number of layers utilizing the HDPE uniaxial geogrids as the primary reinforcement or as extra reinforcement to the steel rebars.
Highlights
The highlights of this research are: 1. Detailed investigation of the flexural behavior of concrete beams when reinforced by High-density polyethylene (HDPE) uniaxial geogrids as the primary reinforcement or extra reinforcement to the steel rebars for reinforced concrete beams
The HDPE uniaxial geogrid proof-strain value was specified as being equal to the strain value of the steel-yield (which ranged from 1250 (0.13%) to 2500 (0.25%) microstrain, according to the grade of the steel rebars), when it was used as extra reinforcement to the steel rebars, which maintains the concrete beam within the elastic range or an accepted plastic range
The loading-deformation behavior of the concrete beams when utilizing the HDPE uniaxial geogrids as extra lowerside reinforcement to a reasonable steel rebars ratio being tightened to ensure they remain straight during the pouring of concrete is mostly recommended, as it does not create sudden load drop or increase sudden deformation, and provides the highest elastic range loads, ultimate capacity loads, and normal cracking ductility
Summary
Geogrids are polymers found beneath the materials of geosynthetics and are primarily made from polymeric materials such as polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene (Saranyadevi et al, 2016). They are being utilized as a material for stabilization and material for reinforcement in extraordinary civil works and infrastructures (Maxwell et al, 2005). Several studies have been conducted on the utilization of geogrids as a material for reinforcement in Portland cement concrete overlays and thin members (Tang et al, 2018a). The highlights of this research are: 1. Detailed investigation of the flexural behavior of concrete beams when reinforced by HDPE uniaxial geogrids as the primary reinforcement or extra reinforcement to the steel rebars for reinforced concrete beams
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