Abstract:
This study aims to investigate the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened using aluminum honeycomb sandwich panels (AHSPs) with three different thicknesses (6, 10, and 15 mm) and CFRP U-Jackets with different cross-section configurations (i.e. support and middle sections). The experimental performance of RC beams was evaluated utilizing AHSPs and CFRP composites under four-point bending tests. The strengthened RC beams (HCRC-2-HCRC-10) were compared with the control beam (HCRC-1) in terms of flexural load carrying capacity, ductility, failure modes, and cracks patterns. The results revealed that the HCRC-9 beam specimen strengthened using 15 mm thickness AHSP displayed higher flexural performance than its counterparts. The HCRC-9 beam exhibited more ductile behavior, which depends on the failure mode. Strengthening with AHSP decreased visible width shear cracks compared to the un-strengthened beam. It was also detected that increase in the thickness of AHSP improved the flexural behavior of RC beams. © 2022, The Society for Experimental Mechanics, Inc.