• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.475-493
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• 2022

The results of research focusing on the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement RC beams with openings reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh, and polyethylene mesh independently are presented in this article. Casting and testing of fourteen reinforced concrete beams with dimensions of 200×100×2000 mm under concentric compression loadings were part of the research program. The type of reinforcing materials, the volume fraction of reinforcement, the number of mesh layers, and the number of stirrups are the major parameters that change. The main goal is to understand the impact of using new appealing materials in reinforcing RC beams with openings. Using ANSYS-16.0 Software, nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was used to demonstrate the behavior of composite RC beams with openings. A parametric study is also conducted to discuss the variables that can have the greatest impact on the mechanical behavior of the proposed model, such as the number of openings. The obtained experimental and numerical results demonstrated the FE simulations' acceptable accuracy in estimating experimental values. Furthermore, demonstrating that the strength gained of specimens reinforced with fiber glass meshes was reduced by approximately 38% when compared to specimens reinforced with expanded or welded steel meshes is significant. In addition, when compared to welded steel meshes, using expanded steel meshes in reinforcing RC beams with openings results in a 16 percent increase in strength. In general, when ferrocement beams with openings are tested under concentric loadings, they show higher-level ultimate loads and energy-absorbing capacity than traditional RC beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.6
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• pp.793-815
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• 2023

The current study looks at the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement RC channel slabs reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, and fiber glass mesh individually. Ten RC channel slabs with dimensions of 500 mm×40 mm×2500 mm were subjected to flexural loadings as part of the testing program. The type of reinforcing materials, the number of mesh layers, and the reinforcement volume fraction are the key parameters that can be changed. The main goal is to determine the impact of using new inventive materials to reinforce composite RC channel slabs. Using ANSYS -16.0 Software, nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was used to simulate the behavior of composite channel slabs. Parametric study is also demonstrated to identify variables that can have a significant impact on the model's mechanical behavior, such as changes in slab dimensions. The obtained experimental and numerical results indicated that FE simulations had acceptable accuracy in estimating experimental values. Also, it's significant to demonstrate that specimens reinforced with fiber glass meshes gained approximately 12% less strength than specimens reinforced with expanded or welded steel meshes. In addition, Welded steel meshes provide 24% increase in strength over expanded steel meshes when reinforcing RC channel slabs. In general, ferrocement specimens tested under flexural loadings outperform conventional reinforced concrete specimens in terms of ultimate loads and energy absorbing capacity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.455-471
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• 2021

The present work focuses on experimental and numerical performance of the ferrocement RC walls reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh and tensar mesh individually. The experimental program comprised twelve RC walls having the dimensions of 450 mm×100 mm×1000 mm under concentric compression loadings. The studied variables are the type of reinforcing materials, the number of mesh layers and volume fraction of reinforcement. The main aim is to assess the influence of engaging the new inventive materials in reinforcing the composite RC walls. Non-linear finite element analysis; (NLFEA) was carried out to simulate the behavior of the composite walls employing ANSYS-10.0 Software. Parametric study is also demonstrated to check out the variables that can mainly influence the mechanical behavior of the model such as the change of wall dimensions. The obtained numerical results indicated the acceptable accuracy of FE simulations in the estimation of experimental values. In addition, the strength gained of specimens reinforced with welded steel mesh was higher by amount 40% compared with those reinforced with expanded steel mesh. Ferrocement specimens tested under axial compression loadings exhibit superior ultimate loads and energy absorbing capacity compared to the conventional reinforced concrete one.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.15 no.4 s.65
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• pp.403-412
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• 2003

The composite metal deck plate system has been widely used for office structures. Recently, however, the flat deck plate has been developed to apply the composite slab system to residential structures. Reduction in construction cost and time can be expected by using expanded metal instead of wire mesh as crack control reinforcements. This study proposed a composite slab system composed of a new-shaped steel deck plate and expanded metal. Twelve specimens were tested to evaluate the structural performance of the new composite slab system. The test results were summarized mainly in terms of maximum load carrying capacity and failure behaviors of each specimen.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.333-350
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• 2005

This paper presents results of an experimental study to evaluate a new retrofit technique for strengthening shear deficient short concrete beams and columns. In this technique a mortar jacket reinforced with expanded steel meshes is used for retrofitting. Twelve short reinforced concrete specimens, including eight retrofitted ones, were tested. Six specimens were tested under a constant compressive axial force of 15% of column axial load capacity based on original concrete gross section, $A_g$, and the concrete compressive strength, ${f_c}^{\prime}$. Main variables were the spacing of ties in original specimens and the volume fraction of expanded metal in jackets. Original specimens failed before reaching their nominal calculated flexural strength, $M_n$, and had very poor ductility. Strengthened specimens reached their nominal flexural strength and had a ductility capacity factor of up to 8 for the beams and up to 5.5 for the columns. Based on the test results, it can be concluded that expanded steel meshes can be used effectively to strengthen shear deficient concrete members.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.17-34
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• 2020

This paper investigates the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced longitudinally with either steel bars, molded glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) grating mesh or pultruded glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) grating mesh, under four-point bending. The variables included in this study were the type of concrete (normal weight concrete, perlite concrete and vermiculite concrete), type of the longitudinal reinforcement (steel bars, molded and pultruded GFRP grating mesh) and the longitudinal reinforcement ratio (between 0.007 and 0.035). The influences of these variables on the load-midspan deflection curves, bending stiffness, energy absorption and failure modes were investigated. A total of fifteen beams with a cross-sectional dimension of 160 mm × 210 mm and an overall length of 2400 mm were cast and divided into three groups. The first group was constructed with normal weight concrete and served as a reference concrete. The second and third groups were constructed with perlite concrete and vermiculite concrete, respectively. An innovative type of stirrup was used as shear reinforcement for all beams. The results showed that the ultimate load of the beams reinforced with pultruded GFRP grating mesh ranged between 19% and 38% higher than the ultimate load of the beams reinforced with steel bars. The bending stiffness of all beams was influenced by the longitudinal reinforcement ratio rather than the type of concrete. Failure occurred within the pure bending region which means that the innovative stirrups showed a significant resistance to shear failure. Good agreement between the experimental and the analytical ultimate load was obtained.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.155-171
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• 2017

This paper presents a proposed method for producing reinforced composite concrete columns reinforced with various types of metallic and non metallic mesh reinforcement. The experimental program includes casting and testing of twelve square columns having the dimensions of $100mm{\times}100mm{\times}1000mm$ under concentric compression loadings. The test samples comprise all designation specimens to make comparative study between conventionally reinforced concrete column and concrete columns reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh and tensar mesh. The main variables are the type of innovative reinforcing materials, metallic or non metallic, the number of layers and volume fraction of reinforcement. The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of employing the new innovative materials in reinforcing the composite concrete columns. The results of an experimental investigation to examine the effectiveness of these produced columns are reported and discussed including strength, deformation, cracking, and ductility properties. Non-linear finite element analysis; (NLFEA) was carried out to simulate the behavior of the reinforced concrete composite columns. The numerical model could agree the behavior level of the test results. ANSYS-10.0 Software. Also, parametric study is presented to look at the variables that can mainly affect the mechanical behaviors of the model such as the change of column dimensions. The results proved that new reinforced concrete columns can be developed with high strength, crack resistance, and high ductility properties using the innovative composite materials.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.817-834
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• 2014

An experimental program was designed in the current work to examine the structural behavior of ferrocement beams reinforced with composite materials under three point loadings up to failure. The experimental program comprised casting and testing of twelve ferrocement beams having the dimensions of 120 mm width, 200 mm depth and 1600 mm length. The twelve beams were different in the type of reinforcements; steel bars, traditional wire meshes (welded and expanded wire meshes) and composite materials (fiberglass wire meshes and polypropylene wire meshes). The flexural performances of the all tested beams in terms of strength, ductility, cracking behavior and energy absorption were investigated. Also all the tested beams were simulated using ANSYS program. The results of the experimental tests concluded that the beam with fiber glass meshes gives the lowest first crack load and ultimate load. The ferrocement beam reinforced with four layers of welded wire meshes has better structural behavior than those beams reinforced with other types of wire meshes. Also the beams reinforced with metal wire meshes give smaller cracks width in comparing with those reinforced with non-metal wire meshes. Also the Finite Element (FE) simulations gave good results comparing with the experimental results.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 2014

This paper presents the results of an investigation aimed at developing reinforced concrete beams consisting of precast permanent U-shaped reinforced mortar forms filled with different types of core materials to be used as a viable alternative to the conventional reinforced concrete beam. To accomplish this objective, an experimental program was conducted and theoretical model was adopted. The experimental program comprised casting and testing of thirty beams of total dimensions $300{\times}150{\times}2,000mm$ consisting of permanent precast U-shaped reinforced mortar forms of thickness 25 mm filled with the core material. Three additional typical reinforced concrete beams of the same total dimensions were also cast to serve as control specimens. Two types of single-layer and double-layers steel meshes were used to reinforce the permanent U-shaped forms; namely welded wire mesh and X8 expanded steel mesh. Three types of core materials were investigated: conventional concrete, autoclaved aerated lightweight concrete brick, and recycled concrete. Two types of shear connections between the precast permanent reinforced mortar form and the core material were investigated namely; adhesive bonding layer between the two surfaces, and mechanical shear connectors. The test specimens were tested as simple beams under three-point loadings on a span of 1,800 mm. The behavior of the beams incorporating the permanent forms was compared to that of the control beams. The experimental results showed that better crack resistance, high serviceability and ultimate loads, and good energy absorption could be achieved by using the proposed beams which verifies the validity of using the proposed system. The theoretical results compared well with the experimental ones.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.567-594
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• 2016

The main objective of the current research is estimating the flexural behavior of ferrocement Ribbed Plates reinforced with composite material. Experimental investigation was carried out on fifteen plates; their dimensions were kept constant at 1200 mm in length, 600 mm width and 100 mm thick but with different volume fraction of steel reinforcement and number of ribs. Test specimens were tested until failure under three line loadings with simply supported conditions over a span of 1100 mm. Cracking patterns, tensile and compressive strains, deformation characteristics, ductility ratio, and energy absorption properties were observed and measured at all stages of loadings. Experimental results were compared to analytical models using ANSYS 10 program. Parametric study is presented to look at the variables that can mainly affect the mechanical behaviors of the model such as the change of plate length. The results showed that the ultimate strength, ductility ratio and energy absorption properties of the proposed ribbed plates are affected by the volume fraction and the type of reinforcement, and also proved the effectiveness of expanded metal mesh and woven steel mesh in reinforcing the ribbed ferrocement plates. In addition, the developed ribbed ferrocement plates have high strength, ductility ratio and energy absorption properties and are lighter in weight compared to the conventional RC ribbed plates, which could be useful for developed and developing countries alike. The Finite Element (FE) simulations gave good results comparing with the experimental results.