CONTENTS

7.2 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.SLABS 41

7.3 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.BEAMS 45
7.4 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.COLUMNS 52
7.4.1 REINFORCED CONCRETE JACKET 52
7.4.2 STEEL JACKET 55
7.5 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.WALLS 57
7.6 STRENGTHENING OF FOUNDATIONS 58
7.7 ADVANCED STRENGTHENING TECHNIQUES USING FRP 61
7.8 LATERAL LOADS RESISTING SYSTEMS 74
7.8.1 SHEAR WALL SYSTEM 74
7.8.2 DIAPHRAGM FLOORS 75
7.8.3 FRAMED SYSTEM 76
7.8.4 COMBINED SHEAR WALL AND FRAMES 76
 STRENGTHENING TECHNIQUES

7.1 INTRODUCTION
Many strengthening techniques are available depending on the purpose
needed from strengthening. Some of those techniques are explained in
details in the following sections.
Why do we strengthen or retrofit buildings?
 Increase in the applied loads.
 Mistakes or unsafe design.
 R. Steel corrosion or insufficient number of bars.
 Cracks in concrete or stress less than design stress.
 The settlement in the foundation is more than the allowable.

7.2 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.SLABS

In some cases, and due to increasing the applied loads on slabs or their
unsafe design, or corrosion of the reinforcing steel bars, or cracks in the
slabs, one of the following solutions should be made:
1. If the slab is unable to carry the negative moment and the lower steel
is sufficient, upper steel mesh should be added with a new concrete
layer.
2. If the slab is unable to carry the positive moment or when the dead
load (that will be added to the slab) is much less than the live load
carried by the slab, a new concrete layer on the bottom of the slab
should be added.
In order to implement the previous solutions, the following steps should be
made as shown in Fig 7.1and Fig 7.2:
1. Removing the concrete cover.
2. Cleaning the reinforcing steel bars using a wire brush or a sand
compressor.
3. Coating the steel bars with an epoxy material that would prevent
corrosion.
4. If a high percent of corrosion was found in the steel bars, a new steel
mesh, designed according to the codes’ requirements, must be added.
5. The new reinforcing steel mesh is then installed and fastened
vertically to the slab of the roof and horizontally to the surrounding
beams, using steel dowels.
6. Coating the concrete surface with an appropriate epoxy material that
would guarantee the bond between the old and new concrete.
7. Before the epoxy dries, the concrete is poured with the required
thickness. Additional materials that would lower the shrinkage should
be added to the concrete.
There are also some other techniques used for strengthening a reinforced
concrete slab such as:
1. Increasing the shear bearing capacity of the slab by adding steel plates
strengthened by vertical screw bolts. Strengthening of the slab by post
stressed reinforcement.
2. Adding steel beams.
In case of hollow slabs, reinforced concrete is added inside the holes of the
slab.
7.3 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.BEAMS
Reinforced concrete beams need strengthening when the existing steel bars
in the beam are unsafe or insufficient, or when the loads applied to the beam
are increased. In such cases, there are different solutions that could be
followed:
I-ADDING REINFORCEMENT STEEL BARS TO THE MAIN STEEL WITHOUT
INCREASING THE BEAM’S CROSS SECTIONAL AREA

This solution is carried out when the reinforcing steel bars are not capable to
carry the stresses applied to the beam. The following steps should be
followed:
1. The concrete cover is removed for both the upper and lower steel bars.
2. The steel bars are well cleaned and coated with an appropriate
material that would prevent corrosion.
3. Holes are made, in the whole span of the beam under the slab, as
shown in Fig 7-3, 15-25cm apart, a diameter of 1.3cm and extend to
the total width of the beam.

4. The holes are filled with an epoxy material with low viscosity and
installing steel connectors for fastening the new stirrups.
5. Steel connectors are installed into the columns in order to fasten the
steel bars added to the beam.
6. The added stirrups are closed using steel wires and the new steel is
installed into these stirrups.
7. The surface is then coated with a bonding epoxy material.
8. The concrete cover is poured over the new steel and the new stirrups.
The previous steps are illustrated in Fig 7.4.
II-INCREASING BOTH THE REINFORCING STEEL BARS AND THE CROSS
SECTIONAL AREA OF CONCRETE

This solution is chosen when both the steel and concrete are not able to carry
the additional loads applied to the beam. In such cases the following steps
should be followed as in Fig 7.5.

1. Removing the concrete cover, roughing the beams surface, cleaning

the reinforcement steel bars and coating them with an appropriate
material that would prevent corrosion.
2. Making holes in the whole span and width of the beam under the slab
at 15-25cm.
3. Filling the holes with cement mortar with low viscosity and installing
steel connectors for fastening the new stirrups.
 4. Installing the steel connectors into the columns in order to fasten the
steel bars added to the beam.
5. Closing the added stirrups using steel wires and the new steel is
installed into these stirrups.
6. Coating the concrete surface with an appropriate epoxy material that
would guarantee the bond between the old and new concrete, exactly
before pouring the concrete.
7. Pouring the concrete jacket using low shrinkage concrete.

III-ADDING STEEL PLATES TO THE BEAM

When it is required to strengthen the beam’s resistance against the applied

moment or shear stress, steel plates are designed with the appropriate size
and thickness.
Then those plates are attached to the beam as follows:
 1. Roughing and cleaning the concrete surfaces where the plates will be
attached.
2. Coating the concrete surfaces with a bonding epoxy material.
3. Making holes in the concrete surfaces and plates.
4. Putting a layer of epoxy mortar on top of the plates with a 5mm
thickness.
5. Attaching the steel plates to the concrete using bolts.
The previous steps are illustrated in Fig 7-6.

In some cases, it is needed to reduce the load on the beam that needs
strengthening before implementing the previous steps, either partial or
complete unloading.
This is made by putting steel beams on top or below the concrete beams, as
shown in Fig 7-7.
The following photos (8-11) were taken during strengthening an existing
building; they present the practical method of implementing some
strengthening techniques.
7.4 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.COLUMNS
Strengthening of reinforced concrete columns is needed when:
1. The load carried by the column is increased due to either increasing
the number of floors or due to mistakes in the design.
2. The compressive strength of the concrete or the percent and type of
reinforcement are not according to the codes’ requirements.
3. The inclination of the column is more than the allowable.
4. The settlement in the foundation is more than the allowable.
There are two major techniques for strengthening reinforced concrete
columns:

7.4.1 REINFORCED CONCRETE JACKET

The size of the jacket and the number and diameter of the steel bars used in
the jacketing process depend on the structural analysis that was made to the
column.
In some cases, before this technique is carried out, we need to reduce or
even eliminate temporarily the loads applied to the column; this is done by
the following steps:
- Putting mechanical jacks between floors.
- Putting additional props between floors.

Moreover, in some cases, where corrosion in the reinforcement steel bars

was found, the following steps should be carried out:
- Remove the concrete cover.
- Clean the steel bars using a wire brush or sand compressor.
- Coat the steel bars with an epoxy material that would prevent
corrosion.
If there was no need for the previous steps, the jacketing process could start
by the following steps:
1. Adding steel connectors into the existing column in order to fasten the
new stirrups of the jacket in both the vertical and horizontal directions
at spaces not more than 50cm.Those connectors are added into the
column by making holes 3-4mm larger than the diameter of the used
steel connectors and 10-15cm depth.
2. Filling the holes with an appropriate epoxy material then inserting the
connectors into the holes.
3. Adding vertical steel connectors to fasten the vertical steel bars of the
jacket following the same procedure in step 1 and 2.
 4. Installing the new vertical steel bars and stirrups of the jacket
according to the designed dimensions and diameters.
5. Coating the existing column with an appropriate epoxy material that
would guarantee the bond between the old and new concrete.
6. Pouring the concrete of the jacket before the epoxy material dries. The
concrete used should be of low shrinkage and consists of small
aggregates, sand, cement and additional materials to prevent
shrinkage.
The previous steps are illustrated in Fig 7-8.
7.4.2 STEEL JACKET
This technique is chosen when the loads applied to the column will be
increased, and at the same time, increasing the cross sectional area of the
column is not permitted.
This technique is implemented by the following steps as shown in Fig 7-9:
1. Removing the concrete cover.
2. Cleaning the reinforcement steel bars using a wire brush or a sand
compressor.
 3. Coating the steel bars with an epoxy material that would prevent
corrosion.
4. Installing the steel jacket with the required size and thickness,
according to the design, and making openings to pour through them
the epoxy material that would guarantee the needed bond between the
concrete column and the steel jacket.
5. Filling the space between the concrete column and the steel jacket
with an appropriate epoxy material.

In some cases, where the column is needed to carry bending moment and
transfer it successfully through the floors, one should install a steel collar at
the neck of the column by means of bolts or a suitable bonding material.
7.5 STRENGTHENING OF R.C.WALLS
The dimensions of the wall and its reinforcement are increased by the
following steps:
1. Roughing the total area of the concrete surface.
2. Installing steel connectors for the whole surface at 25-30cm spaces in
both directions. The diameter of the steel connectors is determined
according to the design and their depth should be 5-7 times their
diameter.
3. Installing steel connectors into the wall footings, with the same
number and diameter of the main vertical steel bars, using an epoxy
material.
4. Installing the steel mesh and fasten it by steel wires to the steel
connectors.
5. Coating the surface of the wall with an appropriate epoxy material.
6. Pouring the concrete jacket using low shrinkage concrete before
drying of the epoxy material.
The previous steps are illustrated in Fig 7-10.
7.6 STRENGTHENING OF FOUNDATIONS
Columns foundations need strengthening in the case of applying additional
loads. Widening and strengthening of existing foundations may be carried
out by constructing a concrete jacket to the existing footings. The new jacket
should be properly anchored to the existing footing and column neck in
order to guarantee proper transfer of loads. The size of the "jacket" shall be
selected such that the average maximum foundation pressure does not
exceed the recommended allowable value. Attention shall be given during
construction in order that the excavations for the new "jackets" do not affect
the existing adjacent foundations.

An isolated footing is strengthened by increasing the size of the footing and

the reinforcement steel bars as follows:
1. Excavating around the footing
2. Cleaning and roughening the concrete surface.
3. Installing dowels at 25-30cm spacing in both directions using an
appropriate epoxy material.
 4. Fastening the new steel bars with the dowels using steel wires. The
diameter and number of steel bars should be according to the design.
5. Coating the footing surface with a bonding agent in order to achieve
the required bond between old and new concrete.
6. Pouring the new concrete before the bonding agent dries. The new
concrete should contain a non-shrinkage material.
The previous steps are illustrated in Fig 7-11.

The following photos (13-16) illustrate the practical way of jacketing a

footing by reinforced concrete.
7.7 ADVANCED STRENGTHENING TECHNIQUES USING
FRP
7.7.1 SPRAYED-UP FRP STRENGTHENING FOR CONCRETE
STRUCTURES
7.7.1.1 ABSTRACT
A new repair and strengthening method by spraying carbon or glass chopped
fiber with vinyl ester resin upon concrete structures is introduced. This
method is engineered systemically for the purpose of repair and
strengthening of concrete structures using sprayed-up FRP composites.
Carbon or glass fiber chopped with 1.5 or 2 inch-length is sprayed with vinyl
ester resin using the air-compressed spray machine on the surface of
concrete structures directly. The anti-symmetrical loading test of rectangular
columns was carried out for the purpose of confirming fundamental
behaviors of RC structures strengthened by sprayed-up FRP system. As the
result, it can be recognized that the similar shear reinforcing effect is
obtained in either way spraying or fiber sheet. Anchor method by the
advantage of sprayed FRP’s flexibility is investigated. Anchor bolts or slits
are set on the concrete surface, FRP sprayed in and on them.
Compared with fiber sheet, the bond strength by sprayed FRP has over the
equivalent of one by sheet, when the thickness is set having equal rigidity.
By filling the FRP to the slit, the mechanical bearing can be expected.

7.7.1.2 INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, strengthening by post casting concrete, steel plate jacketing,
fiber reinforcements such as carbon, armed, and glass are utilized as seismic
strengthening methods for concrete structures. Recently, a seismic
strengthening method by wrapping continuous fiber sheets has often been
used, since the constructability and durability is superior. However,
materials using continuous fibers are expensive.
On the spread of seismic strengthening for buildings and infrastructures in
future, simple methods of strengthening with low cost should not only be
suggested, but also seismic behaviors should be cleared.
In this study, a new, inexpensive, and simple strengthening method for
concrete structures is discussed and suggested in order to improve future
seismic strengthening. This method using short fibers with vinyl ester is a
new combination of materials as seismic strengthening. Chopped short fibers
of carbon and glass with vinyl ester resin are sprayed in place on the
concrete structures. It is called “Sprayed-Up FRP (Fiber Reinforced
Polymer)”. Benefits of using vinyl ester resin in this strengthening method
are that it takes shorter time to harden the resin than epoxy resin. In addition,
the mechanical properties of vinyl ester resin are the same as the one of
epoxy resin. In the following sections, the outlines of this method and the
results of column test under the anti-symmetrical loading are reported. In
addition, the bond behavior between FRP and concrete, and anchoring
behavior using slit (groove) are reported.

7.7.1.3 OUTLINE OF SPRAYED-UP FRP STRENGTHENING METHOD

Figure 7-12 illustrates the idea of the sprayed-up FRP strengthening method
for reinforced concrete buildings. Photos 17 and 18 shows the construction
site of sprayed column specimens. In this method, resin is carried through a
narrow hose by an air compressor. The resin is mixed with short fibers such
as carbon or glass at a tip of the narrow hose. The mixed materials are
sprayed directly on a surface to be reinforced. After that, the surface is made
flat by a roller. The resin will be hardened and the whole sprayed structure
will be reinforced with FRP. This method makes seismic strengthening
possible that all structure members, which are columns, beams, walls, and
slabs, are monolithic since it is possible to reinforce an entire interior
structures in building structures.

The installing procedure of the sprayed-up strengthening is as follows:

1. Base arrangement; Surface of concrete is polished by a disc-sander
and cleaned by air.
2. Primer resin coating; Primer resin is applied to the surface in order to
make highly adhesive between concrete and putty/resin.
 3. Putty arrangement; Dent areas and steps on concrete surface are filled
with putty and make the surface flat in order to prevent from partial
stresses of FRP and air voids on concrete. After putty dried, the
surface is sanded.
4. Resin coat; In order to make fibers more adhesive, resin is coated first
by a spray gun.
5. Spraying (Photo 17); Resin and short fiber are sprayed on concrete at
a same time by a spray gun. The lengths of the carbon fiber and glass
fiber are 2.0 inches and 1.5 inches, respectively.
6. Impregnation (Photo 18); Entrapped air is rolled out.

7.7.2 STRENGTHENING AND REPAIR OF REINFORCED

CONCRETE STRUCTURES USING COMPOSITE MATERIAL
7.7.2.1 ABSTRACT
Advanced Composite Materials (ACM) are considered the new material of
this century. They are used in structures in the form of fiber-reinforced
polymers (FRP).The advantages of FRP materials such as their high
strength, light weight, resistance to corrosion…etc; expand their use in
reinforcing or repair and strengthening of structural elements.
In order to investigate the appropriateness of FRP applications in different
structural systems, a comprehensive research program of the usage of FRP
as a repair and strengthening material is performed in Housing and Building
Research Center (HBRC) in Egypt. The results of the research program will
be under consideration of FRP committee responsible of preparing the first
Egyptian Code of Composite Material. FRP systems are very effective and
powerful when used in some applications such as confinement of columns
and joints to increase ductility for seismic loading; strengthening of beams
in shear; strengthening of slabs in flexure… etc.

7.7.2.2 TESTS ON COLUMNS STRENGTHENED WITH FRP

Using of FRP sheets increases the lateral confinement of the reinforced
concrete sections. This means that the axial load capacity as well as the
ductility of the reinforced concrete columns will be enhanced. The axial
carrying capacity and ductility of the rectangular columns can be increased
up to 95% and 207%, respectively, depending on the strengthening scheme.
Moreover, the axial carrying capacity and ductility of the square columns
were increased up to 60% and 330%, respectively, depending on the
strengthening scheme. Fig.7-13 shows the failure mode of some columns
strengthened with FRP sheets.
7.7.2.3 TESTES ON BEAMS STRENGTHENED WITH FRP
RC beams strengthened with CFRP (Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) strips with well-
anchored ends had higher flexural capacity.Fig.7-14 shows the crack pattern of some
specimens and the strengthening arrangement.
7.7.2.4 TESTES ON EXTERIOR BEAM-COLUMN CONNECTIONS STRENGTHENED
WITH FRP
Using GFRP sheets in repairing of exterior beam-column connection could
improve the ultimate strength of these joints with about 50%compared to the
original joint. The displacement ductility increased considerable and the
required specimen lies in the zone of medium to high ductility. GFRP could
recover the stiffness of the original specimen, and reduction of about
35%was observed compared with the original joint.
Fig.7-15 shows the retrofitted exterior slab-column connection.
7.7.3 EXTERNAL REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS –CONCRETE
REPAIR, STRENGTHENING &SEISMIC RETROFIT
7.7.3.1 INTRODUCTION
The principles behind externally bonding FRP plates or wraps to concrete
structures are very similar to the principles used in application of bonded
steel plates. In general, the member’s flexural, shear, or axial strength is
increased or better mobilized by the external application of high tensile
strength material.
Reasons for applying FRP systems as an external reinforcement for bridge
structures:
- Capacity upgrade due to a change in use of a structure
- Passive confinement to improve seismic resistance
- Crack control
- Strengthening around new openings in slabs
- FRP composite systems have been applied to many structural
elements including beams, columns, slabs and walls as well as many
special applications such as chimneys, pipes and tanks. More recently
this technology has been applied to infrastructure security applications
relating to hardening and blast mitigation of structures.
See Fig (7-16, 17, 18).
7.3.2 FEATURES AND BENEFITS STRENGTHENING
FRP composite systems can be used to strengthen undamaged concrete
structures that require greater load capacity due to functional changes,
additional loads, code changes or other reasons. The FRP is placed on tensile
surfaces in a manner similar to steel plate bonding for strengthening or
embedded into saw cut grooves near the concrete surface. FRP composite
systems can add shear and flexural strength to beams and slabs for both
positive and negative moment conditions. Strengthening of existing concrete
structural members with FRP composites is accomplished by utilizing the
tensile strength and stiffness of the composite and the strain compatibility of
the composite to the existing member. The design must include proper
selection of the adhesive used to bond the FRP reinforcement to the surface
of the concrete to be strengthened. As in repair, the type of composite, the
number of layers, the orientation of fibers, and the preliminary work and
surface preparation all depend on the design goals and type of structural
element as determined by the project.

SEISMIC RETROFIT
FRP composite systems have been used extensively in seismic zones for
confinement of concrete columns and walls. Improvements in ductility
factors of up to 10 fold have been realized through the use of FRP column
wrapping. Specific FRP systems, offered by some of the manufacturers
referenced below, address seismic requirements according to the load
capacities anticipated and geometric considerations of the building structure.
In addition, FRP systems can be used for stabilizing hollow clay tile, brick
and other unreinforced and lightly reinforced masonry walls in life-safety
applications where vital egress and exit paths in buildings are required.

7.3.3 INSTALLATION/APPLICATION
1. Prepare Substrate
The concrete, masonry or steel surface must be properly prepared prior to
bonding. There shall be no spalling or delamination in the case of concrete
and the corners must be ground to a minimum radius of 10mm (3/8 in.).The
bearing substrate surface is typical roughened by grinding or sandblasting.
Sandblasting is normally used on steel. Any unevenness in the concrete or
masonry is removed with a mineral-based re-profiling mortar.
2. Prime Concrete Surface
Some systems require that the dust-free surface be coated with a primer. For
steel a sandblasted surface yields the best results.
 3. Apply Epoxy
To saturate the sheet and simplify installation, the adhesive/matrix resin is
applied to the front and back of the material. Mix and apply epoxy onto
surface using a roller or brush. Once the material has been wet-out with the
liquid resin, the material may be rolled for ease of transport and/or
application to the place of application.
4. Place FRP Sheet on Structure
Unroll sheet rolls onto the structural element being strengthened. Tension is
maintained to minimize intrusion of air entrainment behind sheet. Placing
one layer at a time, apply pressure to wrap using a roller. A hard rubber
roller with ridges (air relief roller) works well for this application.
5. Apply Epoxy to Sheet Surface
A topcoat of epoxy can now be applied to the sheet to fully saturate the
material. If applicable, quartz sand can be applied to topcoat prior to curing
to provide a textured surface for plaster or painting.

7.8 LATERAL LOADS RESISTING SYSTEMS

7.8.1 SHEAR WALL SYSTEM
It works as vertical cantilever walls, designed to receive lateral forces from
floor diaphragms and to transmit them to the ground.
The size and location of shear walls is extremely critical. Plans can be
conceived as collections of resistant elements with varying orientations to
resist translation forces, and placed at varying distances from the center of
rigidity to resist torsion forces. A typical layout of a building utilizing shear
walls is shown in Fig 7-19.

Shear walls have three basic failure modes that are sliding, rocking and
bending Fig 7-20.

Increasing the gravity load on the wall can minimize failure. Increasing the
dead load generally does this. However as the dead load is increased the
ductility of the structure as a whole reduced.
7.8.2 DIAPHRAGM FLOORS
The term 'diaphragm's used to identify horizontal resisting elements,
(Generally floors and roofs) that transfer lateral forces between vertical
resisting elements (shear walls or frames).The diaphragm acts as a horizontal
beam: the diaphragm itself acts as the web of the beam, and its edges act as
flanges, Fig 7-21.

When diaphragms form part of a resisting system, they may act either in a
flexible or stiff manner.
- MOVEMENT JOINT
A joint which is formed to accommodate relative movement between
adjoining parts of a structure or diaphragms is a called a movement joint. It
is caused by shrinkage, temperature changes, creep and settlement. It divides
the structure into a number of individual sections and passes through the
structure above the ground in one level. For reinforced concrete structures,
movement joints are at least 25mm wide normally provided at 25m
longitudinally and transverse.

7.8.3 FRAMED SYSTEM

Cast in-place frames with monolithic columns and beams have a natural
rigid frame action. For seismic resistance both columns and beams must be
specially reinforced for the shears and torsions at the member ends. The
Joints become highly stressed due to seismic forces.

7.8.4 COMBINED SHEAR WALL AND FRAMES

The combined shear walls and frames is designed in a way that the shear
wall takes the lateral load, resulting from an earthquake, in one direction and
the frames takes the lateral load from the other direction as shown in Fig 7-
22 or any other arrangement. Since solid walls tend to be quite stiff in their
own planes, requires the use of separation joints or flexible connections that
will allow the frame deform as necessary under the lateral loads.