Simulation of shear strengthening fire-exposure high strength lightweight reinforced concrete beams using basalt fiber-reinforced polymer grid and engineered cementitious composites jacket

Abstract

This research investigated a new composite strengthening technique consisting of a basalt fibre-reinforced polymer (BFRP) grid in compensation with engineered cementitious composites (ECC) matrix and their efficiency in promoting the capacities of deteriorated lightweight high strength concrete beams under fire. The experimental test was conducted utilizing a total of eight high strength lightweight concrete beams, including a control beam (non-exposed fire) that were instrumented, fire-exposed beams according to ISO 834 heating curve for one hour and strengthened beams specimens with BFRP grid and ECC jacket were prepared and tested for 30mm and 20 mm layer thickness, respectively. However, this work depends on various parameters, such as the LWC beams covers, thickness of jacketing, and constant fire duration for an hour. Additionally, finite element studies using ABAQUS/Standard software were used to develop analytical estimations for verifying the tested beams. This was done to ensure that the model proceeded as expected by comparing the experimental results with an absolute percentage error of less than 15% .Further, crack failure mode, stress distribution, shear capacity, and time-temperature distribution from the finite element models correspond well with the obtained data of the experimental beams in this investigation. Therefore, the simulation results demonstrated that ultimate load mid-span deflection curves, which represent the overall behavior of the finite element models, correspond well with the test data.