COMPOSITE MATERIALS USED AS EXTERNAL REINFORCEMENT FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS AFFECTED BY ALKALI-AGGREGATE REACTIONS

摘要

This paper presents details of an experimental research program undertaken to investigate whether composite materials can be used to reduce the expansion of reinforced concrete beams affected by alkali-aggregate reactions (AARs), and to increase their flexural strength. Experimental beams were fabricated using a concrete mix design selected to develop AARs rapidly, and exposure conditions were chosen accordingly. External reinforcement in the shape of carbon-epoxy longitudinal layers was bonded to the underface of the RC-beams. After being submitted to the exposure conditions, all the beams will be tested in four-point bending up to failure.