Numerical Parametric Study of RC Beams Strengthened with Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM)

Abstract

The epoxy bonded system has several drawbacks like low resistance fire. Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) which comprises of fabric textiles buried in an inorganic mortar resulting in a competitive technology on strengthening RC structures. The numerical studies of this technique are slightly limited. This study presented a finite element modeling of the flexure behavior of RC beams reinforced with FRCM layers. This modeling is verified using a previous experimental study which indicates a good verification between numerical and experimental results. Large-scale beams were proposed. The number and type of FRCM layers with five different reinforcement ratios are investigated as studied parameters in this study. Moreover, two shapes of FRCM layers were used. The results revealed that both ultimate and total workability of the examined beams improve by increasing both reinforcement ratio and number of FRCM layers. U-wrapped layer had a significant improvement for beams behavior compared with the straight layer.