Rehabilitation and strengthening of exterior RC beam column connections using epoxy resin injection and FRP sheet wrapping: Experimental study

Comingstarful Marthong 국제구조공학회 2019 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.72 No.6

The efficacy of a technique for the rehabilitation and strengthening of RC beam-column connections damaged due to cyclic loading was investigated. The repair mainly uses epoxy resin infused under pressure into the damaged region to retrieved back the lost capacity and then strengthening using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets for capacity enhancement. Three common types of reduced scale RC exterior beam-column connections namely (a) beam-column connection with beam weak in flexure (BWF) (b) beam-column connections with beam weak in shear (BWS) and (c) beam-column connections with column weak in shear (CWS) subjected to reversed cyclic loading were considered for the experimental investigation. The rehabilitated and strengthened specimens were also subjected to similar cyclic displacement. Important parameters related to seismic capacity such as strength, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, and ductility were evaluated. The rehabilitated connections exhibited equal or better performance and hence the adopted rehabilitation strategies could be considered as satisfactory. Confinement of damaged region using FRP sheet significantly enhanced the seismic capacity of the connections.

Micro-concrete composites for strengthening of RC frame made of recycled aggregate concrete

Comingstarful Marthong,Risukka N. Pyrbot,Stevenly L. Tron,Lam-I D. Mawroh,Md. Sakil A. Choudhury,Ganesh S. Bharti 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2018 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.22 No.5

In this paper, to access the suitability of recycled aggregate for structural applications, concrete strength i.e., compressive, tensile and flexural strength were evaluated and compared with those specimens made of natural aggregates. Test results indicated that 30 to 42% of the mentioned strength decreases. To study the performance of frame structures made of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) two reinforced RAC frames were prepared and tested under monotonic loading. The joint regions of one of the RAC frame were casted with micro-concrete. A reference specimen was also prepared using natural aggregate concrete (NAC) and subjected to a similar loading condition. The RAC frame resulted in a brittle mode of failure as compared to NAC frame. However, the presence of a micro-concrete at the joint region of an RAC frame improved the damage tolerance and load resisting capacity. Seismic parameter such as energy dissipation, ductility and stiffness also improves. Conclusively, strengthening of joint region using micro-concrete is found to have a significant contribution in improving the seismic performance of an RAC frame.

Behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete beam-column connections in presence of PET fibers at the joint region

Comingstarful Marthong 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2018 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.21 No.6

In this paper the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column connections under cyclic loading was analyzed. The specimens, manufactured in a reduced-scale were made of (a) recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) by replacing 30% of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) with recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and (b) RAC incorporating Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber i.e., PET fiber-reinforced concrete (PFRC) at the joint region. PET fiber (aspect ratio=25) of 0.5% by weight of concrete used in the PFRC mix was obtained by hand cutting of post-consumer PET bottles. A reference specimen was also prepared using 100% of NCA and subjected to similar loading sequence. Comparing the results the structural behavior under cyclic loading of RAC specimens are quite similar to the reference specimens. Damage tolerance, load resisting capacity, stiffness degradation, ductility, and energy dissipation of the RAC specimens enhanced due to addition of PET fibers at the joint region. PFRC specimens also presented a lower damage indices and higher principal tensile stresses as compared to the RAC specimens. The results obtained gave experimental evidence on the feasibility of RAC for structural use. Using PET fibers as a discrete reinforcement is recommended for improving the seismic performance of RAC specimens.

Effect of waste cement bag fibers on the mechanical strength of concrete

Marthong, Comingstarful Techno-Press 2019 Advances in materials research Vol.8 No.2

Polypropylene (PP) fibers for making fabric which is used for packing cement have a high strength and high tear resistance. Due to these excellent properties the present study investigates the effect of PP fibers on the mechanical strength of concrete. Mechanical strength parameters such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength are evaluated. Structural integrity of concrete using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) was also studied. Concrete containing PP fibers in percentage of 0%, 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% was developed with a characteristic compressive strength of 25 MPa. Concrete cubes, cylinder and prismatic specimens were cast and tested. It was found that the UPV values recorded for all specimens were of the similar order. Test results indicated the used of PP fibers can significantly improve the flexural and splitting tensile strengths of concrete materials whereas it resulted a decreased in compressive strength. The relative increase in split tensile and flexural strength was optimum at a fiber dosage of 0.5% and a mild decreased were observed in 28 days compressive strength. The findings in this paper suggested that PP fibers deriving from these waste cement bags are a feasible fiber option for fiber-reinforced concrete productions.

Compressive behavior of galvanized steel wire mesh (GSWM) strengthened RC short column of varying shapes

Marthong, Comingstarful Techno-Press 2020 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.7 No.3

In a reinforced concrete building different shapes of column are adopted depending on the structural orientation and the architectural aspect. When there is an increase in loading due to changes in usage or revision in the design codes these columns need to be strengthened for enhanced performance during their service life. Strengthening materials such as carbon fiber and glass fiber polymer has been successfully used however, due to high cost application other alternative materials need to be explore. Galvanized steel wire mesh (GSWM) is one of the suitable materials locally available. High tensile strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, easy installation, minimum change in dimensions of the sections and cost effectives are the advantages of GSWM. Therefore, in this paper, four different shapes of column such as circular, square, rectangular and L were wrapped with different layers GSWM and jacketed with mortar. All the specimens were tested under axial compression. The objective of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of GSWM as a confining material for strengthening of column having varying shape. Test results shows that the axial strength enhanced with wrapping of GSWM jacket and a circular column presented the highest load carrying capacity and ductility as compared to the others. From the study of 22 column specimens, it is found that axial load is increased upto 20% and 19% when circular and square column are strengthened with one wrap of GSWM respectively, while a rectangular and L column required a wraps of two and three layers respectively in order to achieved the same load capacity as that of a circular column. Based on the present study, it is concluded that GSWM can be effectively used for strengthening of different shapes of concrete columns economically.

Behavior of repaired RAC beam-column joints using steel welded wire mesh jacketed with cement mortar

Marthong, Comingstarful Techno-Press 2019 Advances in concrete construction Vol.8 No.2

In this paper three damaged exterior RC beam-column joints made of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) were repaired. The aim of the study was to restore back the lost capacity of the beam-column joint to the original state or more. A relatively cheap material locally available galvanized steel welded wire mesh (GSWWM) of grid size 25 mm was used to confine the damaged region and then jacketed with cement mortar. Repaired specimens were also subjected to similar cyclic displacement as those of unrepaired specimens. Seismic parameters such as load carrying capacity, ductility, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation etc. were analyzed. Results show that repaired specimens exhibited better seismic performance and hence the adopted repairing strategies could be considered as satisfactory. These findings would be helpful to the field engineers to adopt a suitable rapid and cost efficient repairing technique for restoring the damaged frame structural joints for post earthquake usage.

Compressive strength behaviour of low-strength hollow concrete block masonry prisms

Hopeful Syiemiong,Comingstarful Marthong 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.80 No.6

The present study aims to understand the behaviour of low-strength masonry prisms constructed with locallyproduced low-strength hollow concrete blocks. Compression tests were conducted on masonry prisms constructed with three different mortar grades of cement-sand ratios of 1:3, 1:4.5 and 1:6 representing strong, moderately strong and weak mortar. Stress-strain curves were generated from the test results for the masonry prisms. The hollow concrete masonry units employed in this study are some of the weakest as compared to other masonry units employed by other researchers. The compressive strengths for masonry prisms with mortar grades 1:3, 1:4.5 and 1:6 are 2.21 MPa, 2.19 MPa and 2.25 MPa respectively. The results indicate that the masonry compressive strength of such low-strength hollow concrete block masonry prisms is not influenced by the mortar strength. Simple relationships to estimate the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of masonry prisms is also proposed.

Effect of moisture on the compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks

Hopeful Syiemiong,Comingstarful Marthong 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2019 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.23 No.4

In order to study the effect of moisture on the compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks, an experimental study was carried out on 96 samples of locally manufactured hollow concrete blocks collected from three different locations. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on dry specimens and three types of saturated specimens with moisture contents of 30%, 50% and 80% respectively. The range of moisture content adopted covered the range within which the concrete block samples are saturated in the dry and monsoon seasons. The compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks decreases with increase in moisture content and the relationship between compressive strength of hollow concrete blocks and their moisture content can be considered to be linear. However, the strength degradation of 30% moist concrete blocks with respect to dry blocks is relatively low and can be considered to be comparable to dry concrete blocks. A formula indicating the relationship between the moisture content and compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks is also proposed.

Shear behaviour of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) masonry walls with and without openings strengthened with welded wire mesh

Wanraplang Warlarpih,Comingstarful Marthong 국제구조공학회 2023 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.87 No.5

Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings are extensively adopted in many of the growing nations, particularly in India. Window or door openings are required for architectural or functional reasons, which pose a threat to the building’s safety. The past earthquakes have shown that the seismic capability of these structures was very weak. Strengthening these unreinforced masonry walls using welded wire mesh (WWM) is one of the most commonly and economical methods. The present experimental study investigates the impact of openings on the shear behaviour of URM walls and the effectiveness of WWM in enhancing the shear performance of masonry wall. In the experimental program 16 specimens were cast, 8 unstrengthen and 8 strengthened specimens, under 8 unstrengthen and strengthened specimens, every 2 specimens had 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% openings and all these walls were tested under diagonal compression. The results show that the shear carrying capacity reduces as the opening percentage increases. However, strengthening the URM specimens using WWM significantly improves the peak load, shear strength, ductility, stiffness, and energy dissipation. Furthermore, the strengthening of the URM walls using WWM compensated the loss of wall capacity caused by the presence of the openings.

Effectiveness of steel wire mesh as a strengthening material for masonry walls: A review

Richard Badonbok Lyngkhoi,Teiborlang Warjri,Wanraplang Warlarpih,Comingstarful Marthong Techno-Press 2023 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.10 No.2

The most prevalent and oldest type of structure is unreinforced masonry (URM) structures; URM walls are still a widely used construction material in India and many other developing countries due to their simplicity, ease of construction, economic sustainability, and ability to be built with locally available materials. URM walls are significantly weak while carrying lateral loads. The poor performance of URM walls during earthquakes has necessitated investigating an effective method for strengthening a newly built masonry building or retrofitting an old structure. Wire mesh, being cost-effective and easily available, satisfies the requirements to strengthen new and old URM buildings. The use of wire mesh to strengthen and retrofit the URM structure is simple to use, quick to construct, and inexpensive, especially in developing nations where heavy machinery and highly qualified labour are lacking. The current paper reviews the effectiveness of steel wire mesh as a reinforcing material for enhancing masonry strength. The finding gave encouraging results for the field application of wire mesh.