Experimental Study on Flexural Response of ECC Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beams

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) is a class of High performance Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composites (HPFRCC). It is characterized by high tensile ductility and tight crack width control. Substitution of concrete with ECC can avoid the cracking and durability problems associated with brittleness of concrete. Extensive inelastic deformation is achieved in ECC through Polyethylene fibre. The aim of this paper is to study the flexural behavior of steel reinforced concrete beams partially strengthened with ECC. A total of twelve beams were cast and tested. Six beams were tested to study the effect of the length of plastic hinge and four beams were tested to study the effect of thick layers of ECC provided in the tension zone of beams. The remaining two beams acted as control beams. Two variations in reinforcement detailing, corresponding to the under and over-reinforced beam sections, were used for the expected flexural tension and compression failures. Along with beam specimens, compressive cylinders and cubes specimen were also cast and tested to evaluate the tensile and compressive characteristics of both ECC and concrete. All beams strengthened using ECC plastic hinges and layers were capable of taking more load than the corresponding control beams. In general, ECC application increased the ductility of RC beams.