j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l .

2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

www.jmrt.com.br

Original Article

A case study of flexural performance of reinforced

concrete beams bonded with steel plates with
different thickness

Rafid Saeed Atea

Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University/Najaf Technical Institute, Iraq

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This study investigates the flexural behavior of four reinforced concrete beams. The beams
Received 16 April 2017 were composed by adding steel plates which have different thickness (2, 3, and 5 mm) in
Accepted 17 October 2017 the tension zone to invention out the consequence of the altered plate thicknesses on the
Available online 1 February 2018 flexural behavior on these beams, and the consequence of using typical concrete. The first
beam is made of normal concrete (non composite beam) additionally, the other beams are
Keywords: prepared using usual concrete (composite beams by plates). The connection between the
Composite construction concrete and steel plate was by using shear connector, to gain the effective connection
Reinforced Concrete beam between the concrete and steel plate. The study consists of two parts: the first part is an
Steel plate experimental work through casting and testing beams, while in the second part, an analysis
Mid-span deflection has been conducted to the tested specimens by using a three dimensional nonlinear finite
element method by ANSYS program (Version 18.1). The increase of ultimate strength for
plated beam compared with unplated beam (73%, 86% and 161%) with increase the thickness
steel plate (2, 3 and 5) respectively. concrete strain, crack width and numbers of cracks
decrease with increasing the thickness of steel plate.
© 2017 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier
Editora Ltda. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

ity and stiffness. The preceding insufficient years have seen

1. Introduction the enhancement of the complete composite frame, where the
benefits of steel and concrete are combined to offer structural
Composite construction has been extensively castoff for
systems of excessive strength and stiffness. This type involves
building structures over the previous (50 years). Primarily, rec-
of a steel plate forms the soffit of the beam and this perform-
ognized for beams in buildings, composite components now
ances in combination with the reinforced concrete. Steel plate
also hold columns and shear walls, and are regularly active in
will effort as enduring formwork and as extra reinforcement to
high-rise structures, remaining to their high axial load capac-
internal reinforcement. A small or large steel plate is collective
with reinforced concrete for consistent this new type of com-
posite beam, namely, composite reinforced concrete beam.
E-mail: rafi[email protected] Shear connectors are welded to the plate to ensure composite
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2017.10.006
2238-7854/© 2017 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. This is an open access
article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32 23

Table 1 – Details of trial mix.

Concrete type Cement (kg/m3) Water (kg/m3) Sand (kg/m3) Gravel (kg/m3)

NC 350 181 700 1155

NC, normal concrete.

Table 2 – Results of tested trail mixes.

Concrete type Compressive strength(MPa) Fr (MPa) ft (MPa) Ec (GPa)

Cube 150 × 150 Cylinder 150 × 300

Fcu fc

NC 37 32 4.48 3.21 32.262

fc , compressive strength, tested according to ASTMC39-01. The average of three the specimens at age 28 days are taken.
Ec, Static Modulus of Elasticity, tested according to ASTM C469-02a.
Fr, modulus of rupture, tested according to ASTM C78-02.

action of the steel plate and the reinforced concrete. Important The dimensions of casted beams used for bending test were
advantages of composite reinforced concrete beam are greater (50 × 100 × 500 mm3). Carbon and alloying elements diffusion
stiffness. This decreases the deflection of the member, as enhanced the metallurgical bond across the interface of casted
associated with non-composite structure. Subedi and Balgin beams. Carbon diffusion from high-Cr WCI into 310 SS resulted
[1], approved out an investigational effort containing of four in the formation of Cr-carbides in 310 SS near the interface and
beams, one of which was used as the control. The other three Ni diffusion from 310 SS into high-Cr WCI led to the forma-
were visibly reinforced with steel plate of (2 mm, 4 mm and tion of austenite within a network of M7C3 eutectic carbides
6 mm) thickness on both sides of the web by bolts of (16 mm) in high-Cr WCI near the interface. Inserting 310 SS plates into
in diameter. The collection of a particular thickness of plate high-Cr WCI beams resulted in a significant improvement in
was ruled by ease of handling. Al-Ghareib [2] exhibited inves- their toughness. All specimens of this metal matrix composite
tigations on twelve (175 mm × 275 mm × 3000 mm) reinforced failed in a ductile mode with higher plastic deformation prior
concrete beams reinforced with altered reinforcement ratios to failure. The high-Cr WCI specimen reinforced with I-section
(0.95, 1.43, 2.37, and 3.56%) and maintained by steel plate. The of 310 SS revealed higher toughness compared to that with
experiment was to explore and revision the flexural behavior T-section at the same volume fraction. The presence of the
of beams, twelve beams were alienated into three groups; each upper flange increased the reinforcement efficiency for delay-
one consists of four beams. The first group consists of beams ing the crack growth. The rest of researches are concerned
with normal strength concrete (BN) of nominal compressive with reinforced concrete strengthened by involuntarily com-
strength of (20 MPa), the second group is with high strength mitted steel plates. Where several types of connectors were
concrete of nominal compressive strength of (70 MPa) and the driven into the concrete through the plates, in order to provide
third group is made of hybrid strength concrete of nominal sufficient bonds between them and to develop the composite
compressive strength of (70 MPa) at the upper third of the sec- behavior. In this approach, the common mode of failure was
tion and nominal compressive strength of (20 MPa) at the lower flexural with full strength being organized. From above, it can
two thirds. Hwang et al. [3] presented an experimental and be established that the second approach is the more effective
analytical study concerning the seismic retrofitted reinforced one, and need refining. It has not yet been established vis-
concrete frames containing partition walls using the CFRP ibly the theoretical background to describe and develop the
laminate. The test result showed that the use of CFRP laminate composite action and the prediction criteria for deflection of
with passable end anchorage was fairly active in refining the the strengthened (composite) beam, which were an important
shear strength of partition walls. Lei et al. [4] investigated the marvels for serviceability state.
experimental research and numerical simulation of RC beams
strengthened with bonded steel plates, the experimental pro-
gram was supported by a three-dimensioned finite analysis 2. Experimental program and tests set-up
using ABAQUS. At the end of experiments and finite analysis,
it was concluded that the investing strengthening technique In this effort, the consequence of steel plates with different
can significantly improve the load-carrying capacity and the thickness on the behavior of beams and normal concrete is
phenomenon of stress concentration at the end of interface, considered. The materials which cast-off were involving of
as well as the damage at interface, can be well simulated with cement, sand, gravel and water. The mixing process used
cohesive element provided by ABAQUS. Abd El-Raouf et al. in this study was outlined by Emborg [6], and modified by
[5] studied the flexural Strength and Toughness of Austenitic Al-Jabri [7]. The concrete combination design is allowing
Stainless Steel Reinforced High-Cr White Cast Iron Composite, to the offered and adapted (ACI 211.1) method using the
I- and T-sections, and volume fractions of austenitic stainless EFNARC [8]. After mixing, concrete is poured into lightly
steel (310 SS) were examined under three-point bending test. oiled molds in three layers and well compacted by using
24 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32

Table 3 – Specifications and test results of steel Table 5 – The details of beams.
plates-average value. Beam no. Dimension of Studs no. Distance
Plate thickness (mm) Yield stress (N/mm2 ) Ultimate stress (N/mm2 ) plate between
studs
2 208 344 mm mm
3 218 355
5 254 373 RC – – –
RSP1 1400 × 150 × 2 10 60
RSP2 1400 × 150 × 3 10 60
manual vibrator. Table 1 indicates the mix proportions. For
RSP3 1400 × 150 × 5 10 60
each concrete mix, three cube specimens (150 mm × 150 mm),
nine cylinder specimens (150 mm × 300 mm) and one prism
(100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm) are taken: specimens are tested tensile strength is calculated by dividing Tu on the area of steel
at 28 days. Details of trial mix in Table 1, in Table 2 indicate bolt (stud connector) based on inner diameter.
the lowest and highest compressive strength and modulus of
rupture at 28 days. In this present study, the third trial mix 2.2. Details of the beams
was used.
The sections of beam are designed according to ACI 318M-
2.1. Steel plate 2008, and the dimensions of beam are b = 150 mm, h = 250 mm
with length of 1600 mm. Table 5 and Figs. 1 and 2 show all
Tensile tests are conducted on several specimens, at least beams test details and flexural reinforcement.
three specimens, prepared from the steel plates, which are
used in fabricating the composite beams. Material properties
obtained from the coupon tests for steel plates, static yield 3. Results and discussions
stress and ultimate strength, are summarized in Table 3.
Details of push-out tests are given later in the following To explore the flexural performance of the beams, one control
chapter, while the results of tensile tests are given in Table 4. beam with normal strength concrete and the second plated
In Table 4, Tu is the ultimate tensile force of the steel bolt beam were established.
(stud connector) obtained from tensile test. Yield and ultimate

Table 4 – Specification and test results of threaded bolt-average values.

Steel specimens Measured diameter (mm) Tu (kN) Qu (kN) Ultimate shear strength (N/mm2) Ultimate tensile
stress (N/mm2)

Inner Outer

Steel bolt (stud) 8.51 9.6 35 23 356 593

(i.e. effective area). Qu is the ultimate shear force of steel bolt from direct shear test.

150mm
150 mm
1600 mm
2 φ 12 mm

250 mm φ 10 @ 100
250 mm

2 φ 16 mm
1500mm

Beam (un plated beam) Cross section

150 mm

1600 mm 150 mm
2 φ 12mm

250 mm φ 10 @ 100
250 mm

2 φ 16mm
Steel thickness
1500 mm
Cross section

Beam (plated beam)

Fig. 1 – Details of all beam.

 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32 25

1600 mm
a = 50 mm Table 7 – Ultimate load of tested beams.
Pu
Beam no. Experimental (Pu )∗
R
Pu (kN)

RC 70 1.08
RSP1 121 1.73
1400 mm
b = 60 mm RSP2 130 1.86
100mm 100 mm RSP3 183 2.61

C.L (Pu)R, ultimate loads of reference beams (RC) = 70 kN.

Fig. 2 – Details of plate with shear connector.

shear failure. The performance of the control beams was gen-
erally similar up to failure.

Table 6 – Test results of (RC, RSP1, RSP2, RSP3). 3.2. Ultimate strength
Pcr Pcr
Beam no. Load(kN) (Pcr )R
% Pu % Mode of
failure The noted ultimate loads of the established beams are obtain-
able in Table 7.
Pcr Pu
For the tested beams (RSP1. RSP2 and RSP3), which have
RC 25 70 1.15 35.71 Flexure (tensile plates in tension flanges only, the increases in strength were
failure) (73%, 86% and 161%) respectively. This improvement is due
RSP1 33 121 1.3 27.27 =
to different thicknesses of plates which means increase in
RSP2 43 130 1.74 33.03 =
RSP3 64 183 2.6 34.97 Shear
strength of beams. This intention confirms that the ultimate
flexural strength is controlled mainly by the resistance of
(Pcr )R , first crack loading for reference beam (RC) = 25 kN. plates, which is increased with increasing steel plate thickness
(Fig. 3).

3.1. General behavior 3.3. Deflections

The experiment consequences are given in Table 6. All beams Load-deflection curves of the established beams at mid span at
of this group were intended to fail in flexure. all stages of loading up to failure were constructed and shown
At about (25–36%) of the ultimate load, more cracks devel- in Fig. 4.
oped at the bottom of the beam which advanced toward the
main cracks and often joined them. One or more cracks prop- 3.4. Concrete crack width
agated faster than the others. As estimated, the main cracks
for all test beams initiated at the middle zone and (RC, RSP1 The crack width of the major flexural crack at the level of ten-
and RSP2) presented ductile flexural failure, just (RSP3) showed sile reinforcement was measured by means of crack deflection

Fig. 3 – Typical half symmetry finite element model.

26 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32

180 P/2 P/2

160

140
Demec
120 points
50mm
Load (kN)

100

RC
Dial gauge
80

60 RSP1
750 mm 750 mm
RSP2
40
RSP3 Fig. 6 – Location of demec point.
20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
distribution at mid span of all beams designed to fail in flexure
Mid spain-deflection (mm)
is shown in Fig. 7:
Fig. 4 – Load – deflection curve between the unplated beam Figs. 8–16 shows the numerical strain distribution of
and plated beams. beams. From this figures it can be noticed that the maxi-
mum strain occurred along the load path where the inclined
crack has been occurred. From the inspections of the
strain result, it gives good agreement with experimental
180
result.
160
140
120 RC 4. Conclusions
Load (kN)

100 RSP1
80 Based on the results of this study, the following conclu-
RSP2
60 sions are as shown:The number of shear connector obligatory
RSP3
40
in composite reinforced concrete is very much reduced
20
associated with the number required in normal composite
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 construction of comparable strength, where large interaction
Crack width (mm) area donates in moving shear by friction which influences the
number of shear connectors.The concrete beam strengthened
Fig. 5 – Comparison of load – crack width curves for beams.
with epoxy bonded plates. The communal approach of failure
for these beams is a early failure which considered by ripping
off the plate organized with the concrete cover to which it may
be devoted. This was owing to the faintness constructed in the
pocket microscope. Fig. 5 show load versus crack width for the concrete cover as the concrete section has been loaded for the
tested beams. By inspecting the curves of the load-crack, it can first time. It is value observing that no parting met between
be observed that:The presence of steel plate tends to reduce the plate and the concrete as the epoxy layer is strong suffi-
the number of cracks even at the same loads compared with cient. Also, mutual problem, of this technique is the corrosion
reference beam.Increasing the thickness of steel plate reduces of the steel plate surfaces in the long term consequence which
the number of cracks and crack width. will create parting. Many trials were carried out to support the
epoxy bonds by extra bolts provided at the plate ends, with
3.5. Concrete strains extra little enhancement to the performance.For the beams
(RSP1. RSP2 and RSP3), increases in strength were (73%, 86%
The strain was measured by a mechanical strain gauge. It and 161%) respectively. This improvement is due to differ-
was used to measure surface concrete strain for every stage ent thicknesses of plates, which means increase in strength
of loading at points located in mid span of beams and mea- of beams.Increasing the thickness of plates for beams leads
sured by using a mechanical type demec gauge with accuracy to decrease the deflection and width of cracks and numbers
0.002 mm per division. Aluminum discs with a 10 mm diame- of cracks.Increasing the thickness will increase the stiffness
ter are pasted on the face of the beam as plotted, the location of the beams hence the deformations will be reduced. Strain
of demec point are shown in Fig. 6. The concrete strain was distribution at mid span of all beams designed to fail in flex-
measured at every stage of loading, the process of measur- ure.Consuming shear connectors to attribute the steel plate
ing the strain was continued up to the failure of the beams. is very fruitful and they are effective in rising the composite
Fig. 7 traces the strain distribution with beam depth, for the action between the reinforced concrete beams and the steel
four beams, the first beam was control beam (unstrengthened plate up to failureThe beams (RC, RSP1and RSP2) presented
with steel plate), (RC) and the others are strengthened beams, consideration failure, the beam (RSP3) presented a shear fail-
it can be observed that at the same load level concrete strain ure, this mean that the beam spread to the ultimate strength,
decrease with increasing the thickness of steel plate, this is therefore, the failure convert from the tension to the shear
because, increasing the thickness will increase the stiffness failure.All beam presented without parting at the plate ends
of the beams hence the deformations will be reduced. Strain or shearing of the bolts.
 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32 27

250 mm
RC RSP1
Load 50 kN Load 50 kN

Load 100 kN Load 100 kN

125 mm
Load 150 kN Load 150 kN

0 mm
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Strain x10ˆ-3 Strain x10ˆ-3

250 mm
RSP3 RSP2
Load 50 kN Load 50 kN

Load 100 kN 125 mm Load 100 kN

Load 150 kN Load 150 kN

0 mm
-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Strain x10ˆ-3 Strain x10ˆ-3

Fig. 7 – Concrete load-strain curve for beams.

1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS
STEP=1
R18.1
SUB =1004 AUG 1 2017
TIME=5000 22:18:06
EPTOX (AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.117921
SMN =−.149E−03
SMX =.472E−04

MX

−- 149E−03 −- 105E−03 −- 617E−04 −- 181E−04 - 254E−04

−- 127E−03 −- 834E−04 −- 399E−04 - 366E−05 - 472E−04
−−-- 00351
00351
RC

Fig. 8 – Normal strain distribution on X-direction for RC beam.

28 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32

1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS
SUB =1
R18.1
TIME=1 AUG 1 2017
EPELX (AVG) 22:52:15
RSYS=0
DMX =4.15277
SMN =−.00498
SMX =.001636

MX

−- 00498 −- 00351 −- 00204 −- 569E−03 - 901E−03

−- 004245 −- 002775 −- 001304 - 166E−03 - 001636
RSP1

Fig. 9 – Normal strain distribution on X-direction for RSP1 beam.

1
NODAL SOLUTION
ANSYS
SUB =1
R18.1
TIME=500 AUG 1 2017
EPTOX (AVG) 23:46:51
RSYS=0
DMX =4.4495
SMN =−.005516
SMX =.001841

−- 005516 −- 003881 −- 002246 −- 611E−03 - 001024

−- 004699 −- 003064 −- 001429 - 206E−03 - 001841
RSP2

Fig. 10 – Normal strain distribution on X-direction for RSP2 beam.

 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32 29

1 ANSYS
NODAL SOLUTION
R18.1
STEP =1
SUB =1 AUG 2 2017
TIME =1 01:43:04
EPELX (AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.118E−03
SMN =−.149E−06
SMX =.472E−07

MX

−- 149E−06 −- 105E−06 −- 617E−07 −- 181E−07 - 254E−07

−- 127E−06 −- 834E−07 −- 399E−07 - 366E−08 - 472E−07

RSP3

Fig. 11 – Normal strain distribution on X-direction for RSP3 beam.

1
NODAL SOLUTION
ANSYS
R18.1
STEP =1
SUB =1004 AUG 1 2017
TIME =5000 22:18:50
EPTOY (AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.117921
SMN =−.838E−04
SMX =.255E−04

−- 838E−04 −- 595E−04 −- 352E−04 −- 109E−04 - 133E−04

−- 716E−04 −- 473E−04 −- 231E−04 - 120E−05 - 255E−04
RC

Fig. 12 – Normal strain distribution on Y-direction for RC beam.

30 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32

1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS
STEP =1
R18.1
SUB =1004 AUG 1 2017
TIME =5000 22:19:15
EPTOZ (AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.117921
SMN =−.967E−05
SMX =.537E−04

MX

MN

−- 967E−05 - 442E−05 - 185E−04 - 326E−04 - 467E−04

−- 263E−05 - 115E−04 - 256E−04 - 397E−04 - 537E−04
RC

Fig. 13 – Normal strain distribution on Z-direction for RC beam.

1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS
R18.1
SUB =1
TIME =1 AUG 1 2017
EPELY (AVG) 22:52:36
RSYS=0
DMX =4.15277
SMN =−.002923
SMX =.001522

−- 002923 −- 001935 −- 948E−03 - 400E−04 - 001028

−- 002429 −- 001442 −- 454E−03 - 534E−03 - 001522
RSP1

Fig. 14 – Normal strain distribution on Y-direction for RSP1 beam.

 j m a t e r r e s t e c h n o l . 2 0 1 9;8(1):22–32 31

1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS
SUB =1 R18.1
TIME =1 AUG 1 2017
EPELZ (AVG) 22:53:02
RSYS=0
DMX =4.15277
SMN =−.343E−03
SMX =.001808

MX

MN

−- 343E−03 - 135E−03 - 613E−03 - 001091 - 001569

−- 104E−03 - 374E−03 - 852E−03 - 00133 - 001808
RSP1

Fig. 15 – Normal strain distribution on Z-direction for RSP1 beam.

1
NODAL SOLUTION
ANSYS
R18.1
SUB =1
TIME =1 AUG 1 2017
UY (AVG) 23:38:58
RSYS=0
DMX =4.13054
SMN =−4.08251
SMX =−.213166

MX

MN

−4- 08251 −3- 22266 −2- 3628 −1- 50295 −- 643093

−3- 65259 −2- 79273 −1- 93288 −1- 07302 −- 213166
RSP1

Fig. 16 – Load–deflection on Y-direction for steel plate for RSP1 beam.

[2] AL-Ghareib AEA, M.Sc. Thesis Flexural behavior of repaired

Conflicts of interest reinforced concrete beams with glued steel plates.
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partition Wals retrofitted with carbon fiber reinforced
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numerical simulation of RC beams strengthened with bonded
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