Cheap concrete fix cuts repair costs in half, study shows
Researchers found that adding thin mesh layers to aging concrete beams can boost their strength by 50%, potentially extending infrastructure life and reducing replacement expenses. The method uses common materials and simple installation, making it attractive for maintenance contractors and building owners facing costly repairs.
Originaltitel: Ferrocement laminates for strengthening the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams
<p>The major aim of this investigation was to strengthen the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams using ferrocement laminates. Ten specimens were prepared with dimensions of (150 & times; 150 & times; 750) mm. They were classified into three groups according to the applied parameters: the first group included two control beams, while the other two groups contained four beams per each, which were strengthened using (1 & 2) layers of either steel or geogrid mesh reinforcement with both (10 and 15) mm thickness of traditional cement-sand mortar. The strengthening zone of ferrocement was only for the tension profiles of the specimens. All the beams were then subjected to a single-point loading test at their mid-length until failure. The obtained findings showed that using double layers of steel or geogrid mes h reinforcement within ferrocement laminates of (15) mm thickness can help in enhancing the load-carrying capacities of the strengthened beams by 50% and 38%, respectively, over average of the two control beams (91.5 kN). The combined evaluation of all groups in this study concluded that both steel and geogrid materials significantly improved the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams. However, steel-mesh reinforcement provides better outcomes with respect to strength and ductility.</p>