An Experimental Study on the Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with High-Strength Bars(1)

This paper outlines a new strengthening technique for concrete beams using externally unbended high-strength bars. The advantages of proposed method lie in speed and simplicity of construction compared to the alternative strengthening method. Externally unbended reinforcement retains many of the advantages over external unbended prestressed tendons. It eliminates time consuming stressing operations. Clearance requirements around anchorages are reduced as access is not required for prestressing jacks. Test results of eight specimens on reinforced concrete beams using different reinforcement materials such as carbon fiber sheet, steel plate and high-tension bar are reported. The beam strengthened by carbon fiber sheet showed a brittle failure mode due to the separation of fiber. As a result of draped profile of external bar, the maximum strength of the beam were increased by up to 212 percent and the deflections were reduced by up to 65 percent. Test results show that the beams reinforced with high-tension bar are superior to reference specimens, especially for the strength and deformation capacity.