Shear performance of FRCM strengthened RC beams

The interest in retrofit/rehabilitation of existing concrete structures has increased due to degradation and/or introduction of more stringent design requirements. This work focuses the attention on the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with different FRCM (Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix) systems. The shear performances of strengthened beams are analyzed by experimental results available in the literature. To evaluate the influence of the main factors (geometrical and mechanical) on the structural response on FRCM shear strengthened reinforced concrete beams, a critical discussion of experimental results is given. A semi-empirical analytical model, able to predict the shear capacity of strengthened beams, is proposed and its predictions were compared with those furnished by both Code models (ACI model, CNR DT model, fib model) and experimental results. A numerical procedure founded on a FE model is, also, developed and adopted to simulate the shear response of FRCM shear strengthened reinforced concrete beams. The effectiveness of the numerical procedure is, then, verified by a comparison in terms of both load-displacements response and shear capacity with experimental results.