Adhesive Bonding Techniques in Hybrid Structures Made from Fibre Reinforced Polymeric Composites and Concrete

Mechanical joining techniques are used in construction industry all over the world on a daily basis. A further method of joining has proven to be highly successful – adhesive bonding. Known for thousands of years, adhesive bonding has become as important as other joining techniques as a result of the pace of developments in recent years. In many areas, this bonding technology has become a key technology. Virtually, all solid materials can be connected with one another using adhesives. Although bonding fibre reinforced polymeric composites to the concrete substrate is a relatively simple technique, the proper installation of the fibre reinforced polymeric composites is essential to ensure the adequate performance of the hybrid system. Since the installation procedures differ from one system to another, appropriate specifications will be clearly presented. The paper will include requirements to provide a quality joint assembly, meaning the special pre-treatments of the concrete surface. The material to be bonded is cleaned and prepared so that adhesives can adhere better to them

Strengthening Techniques of RC Columns Using Fibre Reinforced Polymeric Materials

Fibre reinforced composite materials are becoming more frequently used in civil engineering structures. One of the most practical applications of these new materials concerns the strengthening of reinforced concrete columns by means of confinement with fibre composite sheets. In the literature, various theoretical models have been proposed to describe the behaviour of confined concrete columns. The principal advantages of this technique are the high strength-to-weight ratio, good fatigue properties, non-corroding characteristics of the fibre reinforced polymers (FRP), and the facility of its application. The maximum efficiency of confining systems using FRP materials is reached in case of columns with circular cross-section and is explained by the fact that the entire section of the column is involved into the confinement effect. Rectangular confining reinforcement is less efficient as the confinement action is mostly located at the corners This paper reveals the most utilized techniques of performing composite confining systems for reinforced concrete columns, with their advantages and also disadvantages

COMPOSITE STRENGTHENING SOLUTIONS FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE LOAD BEARING ELEMENTS

The results of a complex research and development program relating to the use of fiber reinforced polymeric composite strengthening solutions carried out at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services Iasi, are presented in this paper. The program has included the conceiving of the structural rehabilitation systems, the detailing and experimental testing of some solutions applied to reinforced concrete beams, slabs and columns (with circular and square cross-section). An efficient use of the component materials to improve the structural performance of the studied reinforced concrete element has been the main target of the research program. The main benefits resulted from the research program refer to the increase of the load capacities, the improvement of the structural response of all strengthened elements and a better control of the failure modes

Diagonal Tensile Test on Masonry Panels Strengthened with Textile-Reinforced Mortar

This study presents the results of an experimental and numerical program carried out on unreinforced masonry panels strengthened by textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) plastering. For this purpose, five panels were constructed, instrumented and tested in diagonal shear mode. Two panels were tested as reference. The first reference panel was left unstrengthened, while the second one was strengthened by a traditional self-supporting cement mortar matrix reinforced with steel meshes. The remaining three panels were strengthened by TRM plastering applied on one or both faces and connected with transversal composite anchors. The numerical and the experimental results evidenced a good effectiveness of the TRM systems, especially when applied on both panel facings