Performance of SHCC Brick Infill and NSM Reinforcement Systems for Strengthening RC Deep Beams with Large Openings
Source abstract
Abstract
The presence of large web openings in reinforced concrete (RC) deep beams often disrupts the natural load-transfer mechanism, leading to severe reductions in shear strength and premature failure. This study introduces a novel hybrid strengthening system incorporating strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) bricks, stainless-steel and galvanized-steel sheets, and near-surface-mounted (NSM) steel reinforcements to restore and enhance the shear performance of RC deep beams with large openings. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted on sixteen beams under concentrated loading to evaluate the influence of different infill and strengthening configurations on load capacity, stiffness, ductility, and energy absorption. The results revealed that the inclusion of SHCC bricks significantly improved the continuity of the compression strut, while the combination with NSM reinforcement and external SHCC layers provided the highest strength and ductility gains. Compared with the control beam, the most effective hybrid configuration achieved over a 110% increase in ultimate load and more than tripled the absorbed energy. To complement the experimental investigation, a detailed finite element (FE) model was developed in ABAQUS using the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) and Drucker–Prager material models to simulate nonlinear behavior. The validated model accurately reproduced cracking, stiffness degradation, and ultimate capacity, with experimental-to-numerical ratios approaching unity. A subsequent parametric analysis confirmed the critical influence of SHCC compressive strength and reinforcement ratio on the structural response. The findings demonstrate the potential of SHCC-based hybrid systems as sustainable, durable, and efficient solutions for retrofitting and upgrading RC members with web openings in modern building and infrastructure applications.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete · Masonry and Concrete Structural Analysis · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (45)
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