Possibilities and challenges of NSM for the flexural strengthening of RC structures

Near surface mounted (NSM) is a technique that has been used to increase the flexural and the shear resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The performance of the NSM for the flexural strengthening of RC beams and slabs was already well proved, from research to case-studies. However, the influence of some variables that govern the effectiveness of the NSM, such is the case of the distance between consecutive bars, the reinforcement ratio of existing longitudinal steel bars, the relative position between longitudinal steel and FRP bars, the concrete strength class, and the type and layer thickness of the adhesive is still not well understood. Strengthening procedures need also some improvements in order to increase the effectiveness of this technique. These topics are discussed in the present work, based on the research already done. Specific issues that need extra and deep research are addressed.National Science Foundation(13-05-04-FDR-00031

Shear deformation and failure modes of the GFRP reinforced concrete beams without stirrups

The various shear-transfer actions due to: aggregate interlock effect, dowel action of the flexural reinforcement, the uncracked concrete in the compressive zone and the direct strut action for the point load close to the support, may provide different crack pattern in the shear span of the concrete beams without stirrups. The aim of this paper is to investigate the shear failure mechanisms in T-shape, single span and simply supported beams exclusively reinforced with longitudinal glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. The research of concrete beams flexurally reinforced with GFRP bars without stirrups indicated the possibility of occurring, besides the conventional shear-compression failure mode, another type of failure governed by the loss of bond between the ordinary reinforcement and concrete. Usually the critical shear crack in RC beams without stirrups develops through the theoretical compression strut preventing a direct transfer of the shear force to the support. The main parameter affecting the crack pattern and the shear strength of the beams is the shear span to depth ratio. However, the test results presented in this paper showed the formation of an arching effect due to the bond losing between the GFRP flexural reinforcement and concrete. This failure mode revealed unexpected critical crack pattern and failure mode. Digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used to better capture and analyse the cracking process up to the formation of the shear failure crac

CFRP flexural and shear strengthening technique for RC beams : experimental and numerical research

Near surface mounted (NSM) technique has proved to be a very effective technique for the flexural strengthening of RC beams. Due to the relatively small thickness of the concrete cover that several beams present, cutting the bottom arm of steel stirrups for the installation of NSM laminates might be a possible strategy, whose implications on the beam’s load carrying capacity need to be assessed. When steel stirrups are cut, however, the shear resistance can be a concern. This also happens when a strengthening intervention is carried out to increase the flexural resistance of a beam, since in certain cases it is also necessary to increase the shear resistance in order to avoid the occurrence of brittle shear failure. The present work assesses the effectiveness of a technique that aims to increase both the flexural and shear resistance of RC beams that have the bottom arm of the steel stirrups cut for the application of NSM laminates. This assessment is performed by experimental and numerical research. The main results of the experimental program are presented and analyzed, and the innovative aspects of a constitutive model implemented in a computer program are described, being their virtues and deficiencies discussed.The study reported in this paper forms a part of the research program "CUTINEMO - Carbon fiber laminates applied according to the near surface mounted technique to increase the flexural resistance to negative moments of continuous reinforced concrete structures" supported by FCT, PTDC/ECM/73099/2006. The authors wish to acknowledge the support also provided by the S&P, Casais and Artecanter Companies. The second Author acknowledges the grant under the aforementioned research project. The third author acknowledges the financial support of FCT, PhD Grant number SFRH/BD/23326/2005

Flexural strengthening of RC continuous slab strips using NSM CFRP laminates

To assess the effectiveness of the near surface mounted (NSM) technique, in terms of load carrying and moment redistribution capacities, for the flexural strengthening of continuous reinforced concrete (RC) slabs, an experimental program was carried out. The experimental program is composed of three series of three slab strips of two equal span length, in order to verify the possibility of increasing the negative (at the intermediate support region) resisting bending moment in 25% and 50% and maintaining moment redistribution levels of 15%, 30% and 45%. Though the flexural resistance of the NSM strengthened sections has exceeded the target values, the moment redistribution was relatively low, and the increase of the load carrying capacity of the strengthened slabs did not exceed 25%. This experimental program is analyzed to highlight the possibilities of NSM technique for statically indeterminate RC slabs in terms of flexural strengthening effectiveness, moment redistribution and ductility performance. Using a FEM-based computer program, which predictive performance was appraised using the obtained experimental results, a high effective NSM flexural strengthening strategy is proposed, capable of enhancing the slab’s load carrying capacity and maintaining high levels of ductility.The study reported in this paper forms a part of the research program "CUTINEMO - Carbon fiber laminates applied according to the near surface mounted technique to increase the flexural resistance to negative moments of continuous reinforced concrete structures" supported by FCT, PTDC/ECM/73099/2006. The authors wish to acknowledge the support also provided by the S&P, Casais and Artecanter Companies. The first Author acknowledges the financial support of National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) - Brazil, Ph.D. Grant no. 200953/2007-9. The second Author wishes to acknowledge the support provided by FCT, by means of the SFRH/BSAB/818/2008 and SFRH/BSAB/913/2009 sabbatical grants

Dementia in residential care: education intervention trial (DIRECT); protocol for a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is scope to improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia living in residential care facilities (RCF). The DIRECT study will determine if delivery of education to General Practitioners (GPs) and care staff improves the quality of life of residential care recipients with cognitive impairment.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A prospective randomised controlled trial conduced in residential aged care facilities in the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. Participants are care facility residents, aged 65 years and older and with mini-mental state examination scores less than 25. GPs and care facility staff have been independently randomised to intervention or control groups. An education programme, designed to meet the perceived needs of learners, will be delivered to GPs and care staff in the intervention groups. The primary outcome of the study will be quality of life of the people with dementia, measured using the QOL-Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QOL-AD) and Alzheimer Disease Related QOL Scale (ADRQL), 4 weeks and 6 months after the conclusion of the education intervention.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Recruitment of 351 people with dementia, cared for by staff in 39 residential facilities and 55 GPs, was undertaken between May 2007 and July 2008. Collection of baseline data is complete. Education has been delivered to GPs and Care staff between September 2008 and July 2009. Follow- up data collection is underway.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The study results will have tangible implications for proprietors, managers and staff from the residential care sector and policy makers. The results have potential to directly benefit the quality of life of both patients and carers.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>These trial methods have been prospectively registered (ACTRN12607000417482).</p

Effect of interventions to reduce potentially inappropriate use of drugs in nursing homes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Background Studies have shown that residents in nursing homes often are exposed to inappropriate medication. Particular concern has been raised about the consumption of psychoactive drugs, which are commonly prescribed for nursing home residents suffering from dementia. This review is an update of a Norwegian systematic review commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Health. The purpose of the review was to identify and summarise the effect of interventions aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate use or prescribing of drugs in nursing homes. Methods We searched for systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, DARE and HTA, with the last update in April 2010. Two of the authors independently screened titles and abstracts for inclusion or exclusion. Data on interventions, participants, comparison intervention, and outcomes were extracted from the included studies. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Table and GRADE, respectively. Outcomes assessed were use of or prescribing of drugs (primary) and the health-related outcomes falls, physical limitation, hospitalisation and mortality (secondary). Results Due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes, we employed a narrative approach. Twenty randomised controlled trials were included from 1631 evaluated references. Ten studies tested different kinds of educational interventions while seven studies tested medication reviews by pharmacists. Only one study was found for each of the interventions geriatric care teams, early psychiatric intervening or activities for the residents combined with education of health care personnel. Several reviews were identified, but these either concerned elderly in general or did not satisfy all the requirements for systematic reviews. Conclusions Interventions using educational outreach, on-site education given alone or as part of an intervention package and pharmacist medication review may under certain circumstances reduce inappropriate drug use, but the evidence is of low quality. Due to poor quality of the evidence, no conclusions may be drawn about the effect of the other three interventions on drug use, or of either intervention on health-related outcomes

Bond methods of strengthening reinforced concrete structures with pretensioned composite polymers

W pracy przedstawiono zagadnienie wzmacniania elementów żelbetowych przy użyciu naprężonych kompozytów z włóknami węglowymi CFRP przyklejanych na powierzchni betonu lub wklejanych w betonowe bruzdy. Omówiono systemy kotwiąco-sprężające wskazując na ich zalety i problemy z nimi związane. Na podstawie zebranej bazy danych wyników badań doświadczalnych przeprowadzono analizę efektywności wzmocnienia elementów w zależności od wybranych parametrów zmiennych. Zasadniczym celem analizy było określenie wpływu stopnia istniejącego zbrojenia stalowego, stopnia zbrojenia kompozytowego oraz poziomu wstępnego naprężenia taśm na stopień wzmocnienia elementów zarówno w stanie granicznym nośności, jaki i użytkowności.The paper presents the issue of strengthening reinforced concrete members using pretensioned carbon fiber composites (CFRP) externally bonded on the concrete surface or near surface mounted. Variable prestressing anchored systems are discussed with pointing their advantages and problems associated with their application. On the basis of the collected test data base an analysis of strengthening efficiency of flexurally strengthened members was performed to define the influence of the investigated parameters such as: steel reinforcement ratio, composite reinforcement ratio and initial CFRP prestressing strain on the ultimate and serviceability limit states

Efficiency analysis of strengthening of RC structures with prestressed CFRP composites

Tematem pracy jest zagadnienie wzmacniania elementów żelbetowych na zginanie przy użyciu naprężonych kompozytów z włóknami węglowymi CFRP. Przedstawiono zasadnicze problemy związane z technologią wzmacniania i sposobami zakotwień kompozytów. Autorzy opracowali bazędanych doświadczalnych badań własnych i obcych, na podstawie której omówiono mechanizmy zniszczenia wzmocnionych elementów oraz przeprowadzono analizę efektywności wzmocnienia elementów w zależności od wybranych parametrów zmiennych. Zasadniczym celem analizy było określenie wpływu stopnia istniejącego zbrojenia stalowego, stopnia zbrojenia kompozytowego oraz poziomu wstępnego naprężenia taśm na stopień wzmocnienia elementów zarówno w stanie granicznym nośności, jaki i użytkowności.The subject of the paper is the analysis of the efficiency of strengthening of RC structures for flexure with use of prestressed CFRP composites. Basic methods of application of the strengthening are described along with the issues connected with the prestressing and anchorage of the CFRP materials. The authors prepared a database of the results of experimental tests based on the published research, which was the basis for the analysis of failure modes of the strengthened members and its efficiency depending on the characteristics of members. The aim of the paper was to define the influence of steel reinforcement ratio, composite reinforcement ratio and initial CFRP prestressing strain on the efficiency of the applied strengthening in terms of load capacity and serviceability conditions

Analiza nośności na ścinanie belek zbrojonych prętami GFRP bez strzemion według wybranych wytycznych normowych

The aim of this paper is a comparative analysis of the experimental test results of twenty T-section beams reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars without stirrups with predicted values of the shear capacity according to the following design guidelines: draft Eurocode 2, Japanese JSCE, American ACI 440, Italian CNR- DT-203/2006, British BS according to fib Bulletin 40, Canadian CSA-S806-12 and ISIS-M03-07. Standard procedures for FRP reinforced beams based on traditional steel reinforced concrete guidelines. The longitudinal FRP reinforcement has been taken into account by its stiffness reduction related to the steel reinforcement. A basis of this modification is the assumption that the FRP-to-concrete bond behaviour is the same as it is for steel reinforcement. To assess the compatibility of predicted values (Vcal) with the experimental shear forces (Vtest) the safety coefficient η = Vtest/ Vcal was used. The results corresponding to values η 1 means that shear load capacity is underestimated. The most conservative results of the calculated shear capacity are obtained from the ACI 440 standard. In contrast to them the best compatibility of the calculated shear values to the experimental ones indicated British BS standard, fib Bulletin 40 and Canadian CSA-S806-12 standard.Obecnie w sektorze budowlanym duży nacisk jest kładziony na trwałość i niskie koszty utrzymania nowych konstrukcji wykonanych z betonu. Materiałami, które wpisują się w tę ideę są kompozyty polimerowe (FRP). Konstrukcje betonowe zbrojone prętami kompozytowymi są odporne na korozję, co zapewnia im większą trwałość w czasie eksploatacji. Coraz szersze zastosowanie zbrojenia kompozytowego w badaniach oraz rzeczywistych aplikacjach w powstających konstrukcjach wymaga wprowadzenia odpowiednich procedur normowych, które rozwijane są na bazie wytycznych dla konstrukcji żelbetowych. Procedury projektowe dla elementów zbrojonych prętami FRP uwzględniają redukcję sztywności w zbrojeniu kompozytowym w porównaniu do zbrojenia stalowego. Podstawą tej modyfikacji jest założenie, że przyczepność zbrojenia FRP do betonu jest taka sama jak stali. Nośność na ścinanie w większości przypadków jest zatem obliczana zgodnie z zasadami jak dla elementów żelbetowych z uwzględnieniem różnic w wartości modułu sprężystości zbrojenia FRP i stali. Analiza wybranych procedur normowych została przeprowadzona na 16 jednoprzęsłowych, wolnopodpartych belkach teowych o rozpiętości 1,8 m, poddanych obciążeniu siłą skupioną. Smukłość ścinania (a/d) wynosiła około 3.0. Belki zbrojono podłużnymi prętami GFRP o średnicach 12 mm, 16 mm i 18 mm. Pręty wykonano jako proste i zakotwiono w stalowych skrzynkach wypełnionych zaprawą klejową. Zbrojenie górne złożone było z dwóch prętów prostych o średnicy 10 mm. Na całej odległości badanej strefy przypodporowej nie zastosowano zbrojenia poprzecznego, podczas gdy przeciwległą strefę zabezpieczono przed zniszczeniem na ścinanie poprzez zastosowanie silnego zbrojenia poprzecznego które stanowiły stalowe strzemiona z prętów o nominalnej średnicy 8 mm w rozstawie 130 mm i 150 mm oraz stalowe pręty odgięte o średnicy 14 mm. Belki wykonano z gotowej mieszanki betonowej dostarczonej z lokalnej wytwórni betonu. Maksymalna średnica zastosowanego kruszywa wynosiła 8 mm. Średni moduł sprężystości uzyskany w badaniach prętów GFRP był równy 50.5 GPa (COV=1.6%) zaś maksymalna wytrzymałość na rozciąganie wynosiła 1071 MPa (COV=11.6%). Belki oparto na przegubowych podporach, z których jedna, położona po stronie badanego odcinka ścinania była przesuwna. Wszystkie elementy zostały zniszczone w sposób ścinająco – rozciągający. Pierwsza rysa od zginania pojawiała się w środkowej części belki. Następnie wraz ze wzrostem obciążenia rozwijały się rysy od zginania, a w strefie podporowej pojawiała się rysa ukośna

Beam bond tests of GFRP and steel reinforcement to concrete

The paper presents research program of bond between glass fiber reinforced polymer bars and concrete in reference to the steel bars. Bond between the reinforcement and concrete is a crucial parameter governing a behaviour of reinforced concrete members and transferring of the internal forces from concrete to the reinforcement. The use of FRP bars as an equivalent reinforcement to steel in concrete structures has increased in recent years. The FRP bars are very different from steel, mainly due to much lower elasticity modulus and their anisotropic structure. Good performance of FRP reinforced concrete requires sufficient interfacial bond between bars and concrete. However, there are no specific standards referring to the surface preparation of these bars, that leads to variable bond behaviour of the composite reinforcement to the concrete. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of variable parameters on the bond behaviour to concrete. The experimental program consisted of eighteen beam bond specimens varying in: bar diameter (12mm, 16mm, 18mm) and type of reinforcement (GFRP sand – coated and steel bars). Although the GFRP bars indicated good bond behaviour to concrete, the average bond strength was slightly lower than that of steel reinforcement of 16mm and 18 mm, while it was higher for the GFRP bars of 12mm diameter