Title: Slurry Infiltrated Mat Concrete (SIMCON)-Based Shear Retrofit of Reinforced Concrete Members

Author(s): Neven Krstulovic-Opara and Mohammad Jamal Al-Shannag

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 96

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 105-114

Keywords: composite beams; experimental investigation; fiber reinforced concrete; metal fibers; reinforced concrete; slurries

DOI: 10.14359/601

Date: 1/1/1999

Abstract:
This paper explores the structural use of a new high-performance fiber reinforced concrete (HPFRC) called slurry infiltrated mat concrete (SIMCON) and presents the effect of using this material for increasing shear capacity of reinforced concrete members. SIMCON is made by first placing continuous stainless steel fiber-mats into the form, followed by infiltrating the dense fiber network with a cement-based slurry. The mats are prewoven and delivered to the site in large rolls. The mats need only to be unfurled into the formwork, thus simplifying the manufacturing process, as compared to reinforced concrete. Due to its high strength, high toughness, good crack control, and good constructability, SIMCON is well- suited for structural repair/retrofit by wrapping around existing structural members, and new construction as stay-in-place formwork. This paper describes the structural behavior of shear-deficient reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with SIMCON jackets and provides a simple analytical procedure for predicting the shear capacity of the retrofitted members. The validity of the approach was evaluated experimentally by testing three different representative shear span-beam depth ratios. Both bonded and unbonded jackets were used. In all cases the use of SIMCON jackets eliminated brittle shear failure and allowed retrofitted beams to reach their full flexural capacity, resulting in a very ductile flexural response.