Abstract
This paper investigates experimentally and analytically the effectiveness of adopted schemes for strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) and fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) deep beams in shear. Six specimens were cast in two groups of three specimens each. First group was cast in concrete without fibers, whereas the second was cast half in concrete without fibers and the remaining half-length in concrete having steel fibers. The steel web reinforcement was provided in half span of all beams and the other half was strengthened using different schemes. The shear strengthening schemes employed for the first group were: (i) near surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) U-wrap strips and externally bonded horizontal CFRP strips, and (ii) welded wire mesh. For shear strengthening of the FRC of the second group in shear, externally bonded CFRP U-wraps and horizontal CFRP strips were used. The strengthening schemes upgraded the shear strength of deep beams to greater than that provided by steel web reinforcement. FRC showed excellent shear resistance although it caused reduction in the beam deformation capacity. A methodology is proposed to assess the shear strength of concrete (without fibers) and FRC deep beams. The shear strength prediction of the tested deep concrete beams was consistent with the test results. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.