T-Beam Behavior In Flexure With Different Layers Of Concrete In Web And Flange

Abstract

This study presents an experimental investigation performed to investigate the behavior of reinforced concrete T-beams with different types of concrete in web and/or flange. More rational way has been used by strengthening the web and the flange by steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) and strengthening the flange by high strength concrete (HSC). Tests were carried out on six beams, simply supported under a single point loading at mid-span. Two of which were made fully with normal strength concrete (NSC) as reference beams, and the others were made fully or partially with (SFRC) and (HSC) in web and/or flange. Experimental results show that all specimens behaved linearly up to a loading of (40-48 kN) depending on types of concrete used. The maximum deflection increased by (153%) for a beam with SFRC in both web and flange and by (60.8%) for a beam with SFRC in web and normal concrete in flange while it decreased by (50.22%) for a beam with normal concrete in web and high strength concrete in flange in comparison with the reference beams. No interest change in maximum deflection occurred for a beam with SFRC in web and high strength concrete in flange. . The first cracking load increased by (161%) for a beam with SFRC in web and high strength concrete in flange and no interest changes occurred for the other beams. This pattern of combination of concrete types may be useful in T-beams used in bridges or wide spans structures and to reduce the cracking of concrete up to failure.