International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC)
Abstract
Embedded Through-Section (ETS) technique is a relatively recent shear strengthening strategy for
reinforced concrete (RC) beams, and consists on opening holes across the beam thickness, with the
desired inclinations, where bars are introduced and are bonded to the concrete substrate with
adhesive materials. To assess the effectiveness of this technique, a comprehensive experimental
program composed of 14 RC beams was carried out and the obtained results confirm the feasibility
of the ETS method and reveal that: (i) inclined ETS strengthening bars were more effective than
vertical ETS bars and the shear capacity of the beams has increased with the decrease of the spacing
between bars; (ii) brittle shear failure was converted in ductile flexural failure and (iii) the
contribution of the ETS strengthening bars for the beam shear resistance was limited by the concrete
crushing or due to the yielding of the longitudinal reinforcement.(undefined
