Behavior of RC Beams externally strengthened with Mortar bonded Steel Mesh

摘要

This paper presents an experimental investigation of five reinforced concrete (RC) beams three of which are strengthened with Galvanized Steel Mesh (GSM) sheets bonded with mortar cement. Four-point bending tests were conducted after 28 and 360 days of casting. The load-bearing capacity, load-deflection response curves as well as the failure mode of RC beams were recorded. Strengthened specimens tested at both time intervals experienced sheet debonding failure mode. The test results indicate a decrease of 6.36% in ultimate strength was observed in strengthened specimens tested at 28 days compared to control un-strengthened specimens, while an increase of 50.98% was observed in strengthened specimens tested at 360 days. Thus, strengthened specimens tested at 28 days attained relatively lower ultimate load carrying capacity when compared to strengthened specimen tested at 360 days. It could be concluded that bonding GSM sheets with mortar is feasible if the strengthening system is allowed to cure more than 28 days.