Effect of Wire Mesh Orientation on Strength of Retrofitted Beams Using Ferrocement Laminates

Abstract

Many existing structures located in seismic regions are inadequate based on current seismic design codes. In addition, a number of major earthquakes during recent years have underlined the importance of mitigation to reduce seismic risk. Seismic retrofitting of existing structures is one of the most effective methods of reducing this risk. In recent years, a significant amount of research has been carried out to study various strengthening techniques to enhance the seismic performance of RC structures. However, the seismic performance of the structure may not be improved by retrofitting or rehabilitation unless the engineer selects an appropriate intervention technique based on seismic evaluation of the structure. Therefore, the basic requirements of rehabilitation and investigations of various retrofit techniques should be considered before selecting retrofit schemes. Various retrofitting techniques are used in field and out of all palte bonding technique is considered as the best. In plate bonding technique, the plates of different materials viz CFRP, GFRP, ferrocement etc are bonded to the surface of structural member to increase its strength. Ferrocement sheets are most commonly used as retrofitting material these days due to their ease availability, economy, durability, and their properties such as ease of being casted to any shape without needing significant formwork are preferred over other sheets. In the present work, effect of wire mesh orientation on the strength of stressed beams retrofitted with beams ferrocement laminates has been studied. The beams are stressed up to 75 percent of safe load and then retrofitted with ferrocement laminates with wire mesh at different orientations. The result show that the percent increase in load carrying capacity for beam retrofitted with ferrocement laminates with wire mesh at 0, 45, 60 degree varies angle with longitudinal axis of beam, from 45.87 to 52.29 percent. Also a considerable increase in energy absorption is observed for all the orientation. However, orientation at 45 degree shows higher percentage increase in energy absorption followed by 60 and 0 degree respectively.