Because of the shortcomings of the externally bonded system that mainly consists of epoxy and FRP sheets, the fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix, (FRCM) represents a viable solution in the strengthening of reinforced concrete beams. The FRCM layers consist of fabric mesh embedded in an inorganic stabilized cementitious mortar. Many experimental studies examined the impact of strengthening of RC beams with the FRCM layers, but the numerical investigations are limited. This study is therefore aimed at introducing a numerical study investigating the behavior of RC beams reinforced with FRCM layer. The main goal of this paper is to verify the FEM results with the experimental results that are available in the previous study [1], and to provide a parametric study. The investigated beams in this paper are 150 mm × 250 mm× 3000 mm with two reinforcement ratios. One, two, and three-layers of PBO, (P-Phenylene Benzobis Oxazole) FRCM were investigated as strengthening of the simulated beams were strengthened with. The numerical validation included load-deflection curve, load –strain of both concrete and PBO- FRCM, strain distribution, cracks series and failure mode. The built model gave an accurately prediction of the attitude of the investigated beams. The results also indicated that the rise in the reinforcement ratio or the amount of FRCM layers contributed to improving behavior under both ultimate and serviceability limit states.

A literature fast survey shows that the topic of strengthening concrete columns with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has not been sufficiently covered in the available textbooks. Most of the previously published textbooks, which discussed the FRP-confined or strengthened concrete columns (see Fig. 6.1), focused on the behavior and design of circular cross-sections under concentric or eccentric axial loading. The majority of the textbooks focused on confined plain concrete columns. To the best of the author’s knowledge, none of the published textbooks sufficiently studied the available stress–strain models that describe the behavior of the FRP-confined concrete. This chapter presents the following additional contributions to the existing published textbooks about FRP composites as external reinforcements for reinforced concrete (RC) columns: (1) a comprehensive discussion on the stress–strain behavior and modeling of FRP-confined concrete circular and rectangular/square cross-columns, (2) enhancing the ductility of the RC columns using external FRP jacketing, (3) effects of exposure to short and long-term environmental conditions on the behavior of FRP composites used to strengthen the existing columns, (4) ductility design methods of FRP-confined RC columns, and (5) evaluation of the performance of FRP-confined columns considering a damage-controllable mechanical model proposed for the FRP-RC structures.

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets have been increasingly used to reinforce and repair tunnel linings and the slabs of viaducts owing to their advantages. In these FRP-strengthened structures, both in-plane shear stress and out-of-plane normal stress are imposed on the interface between the FRP sheets and concrete. Concrete spalls from the concrete surface owing to different failure mechanisms. To study the bonding and debonding mechanism behind spalling failure, a punching–peeling test against the spalling of concrete pieces is an important tool. In this chapter, the peeling behavior and the spalling resistance of FRP sheets externally bonded to concrete plates and beams are introduced, based on available experimental and analytical investigations. An extremely useful analytical technique for this problem is also introduced in this chapter.

One of the major strengthening applications of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is as additional web reinforcement (of various forms) for enhancing the shear resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Because linear FRP differs from nonlinear steel reinforcement, the design theory of FRP-strengthened RC members exhibits unique characteristics, particularly for shear capacity design. Research on FRP shear strengthening has been limited compared to that on FRP flexural strengthening of RC beams. Nonetheless, the substantial available research has established a general understanding of structural behavior and has inspired several strength models, which are based on experimental observations and the corresponding theoretical assumptions. In this chapter, a comprehensive review of existing shear and torsional strength models is presented. In addition, different failure mechanisms and factors influencing strengthening performance are presented briefly using finite element modeling. A prediction model of shear capacity developed based on numerical analyses is also proposed.

Using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to increase the flexural strength of existing structures has gained wide acceptance in recent years. Using high-strength and high-quality adhesives, FRP laminates are externally bonded to the structure that has to be strengthened. Many experimental investigations and practical applications have been performed, thereby demonstrating that the strengthening effects can be reflected in a wide range of aspects, such as the enhancement of the structural stiffness, load-carrying capacity, ductility, and corrosion resistance. In this chapter, a clear understanding of the different failure mechanisms and influencing factors on the flexural performance of FRP-strengthened structures under monotonic and fatigue loads is developed. Based on a series of in-depth studies on the flexural performance of FRP-strengthened concrete structures, a rational methodology is established for the flexural design of FRP-strengthened concrete structures. Some attempts are also made to enhance the structural performance for FRP flexural strengthening. In addition, a series of special field applications for typical FRP flexural strengthening are introduced.

The constituent materials of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites include resins (matrix materials) and fibers (reinforcing materials). The fibers in the FRP composites may consist of carbon, aramid, glass, basalt, poly-p-phenylene-benzobisoxazole, or other types of polyethylene fibers. This chapter presents a comprehensive review of the basic mechanical properties and behaviors (e.g., tensile strength, stiffness, and strain capacity) of different types of continuous FRP sheets, based on the standard tensile test method. Moreover, the enhancement of their mechanical properties by adopting the concept of hybridization is also addressed. In addition, the effects of environmental conditions, such as low or high temperatures and freezing and thawing cycles, on the mechanical properties of FRP composites are analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, time-dependent behaviors, such as fatigue and creep behaviors, are comprehensively evaluated. Finally, the FRP bonding technique for concrete and steel structures, their installation procedure, and strengthening strategy are briefly described.

In this chapter, the uniaxial tensile tests of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-strengthened tensile members are introduced to explain the tension stiffening effect. Based on experimental observations, an analytical method considering bond stress–slip relationships for steel bar and continuous fiber sheets (or FRP sheets) is presented.

External bonding of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates (plates or sheets) for strengthening or retrofitting concrete structures is a bond-critical application. In FRP bonding systems, the performance of the FRP–concrete or steel interface in providing an effective stress transfer is crucial. The attachment of FRP laminates to a concrete substrate can result in interfacial failure modes apart from the conventional flexural failure. In addition, these shifts in failure modes can alter the strength and ductility of the strengthened system. Therefore the fracture theory is introduced in this chapter to discuss the FRP–concrete interface properties. Several studies have presented various failure modes observed in retrofitted civil-engineering structures. Among these, the crack-induced debonding failure mode is the most common in FRP flexural or shear-strengthened concrete members. This is extremely important in the strengthening of concrete members with externally bonded FRP laminates. According to interfacial stress analysis, the interfacial problem may be idealized and studied as an FRP–concrete joint with FRP laminates bonded to the concrete surface and subjected to tension. In this chapter, the bond behavior of similar idealized FRP–concrete joints and design proposals for similar joints are discussed comprehensively.

With rapid urbanization in developing countries and the emergence of smart systems and integrated intelligent devices, the new generation of infrastructure will be smarter and more efficient. However, due to natural and anthropomorphic hazards, as well as the adverse impact of climate change, civil infrastructure systems are increasingly vulnerable. Therefore, future-proofing and designing resilience into infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry and governments in all developing and industrialized societies. This book provides a comprehensive overview of infrastructure resiliency, new developments in this emerging field and its scopes, including ecology and sustainability, and the challenges involved in building more resilient civil infrastructure systems. Moreover, it introduces a strategic roadmap for effective and efficient methods needed for modeling, designing, and assessing resiliency.

In the last decades, development of innovative solutions is considered as a prominent issue for achieving sustainability within the built environment. One of the most paramount methods of saving energy in a building is by deliberate designing its façade. The façade is one of the perfect options for administering the communication between the outdoors and the internal spaces. Also, an intelligent kinetic design presents a creative method for energy conservation in the buildings. This paper reports the experimental results of thermal performance of residential building coupled with smart kinetic shading system. Moreover, the comparison between two identical apartments is accomplished. One coupled with the proposed system. The system fixed on the window the wall south faced. Indoor air temperature and energy consumption are measured and recorded for both apartments simultaneously. The results showed that this system could lead to improved and decreased the internal temperature of the building about 2-3oC. Consequently, the energy saved by 18-20% compared to the standard building without shading system, the improvement in apartment regards indoor environment quality and energy consumption will reflect directly on the building performance. The experiments were conducted on one apartment only due to financial costs. Consequently, implementation the proposed system on the whole building will enhance the energy consumed within the building.