The paper describes experimental research of slab-column connections examined on specimendesigned as a part of reinforced concrete structure with flat slabs. The aim of the research wasto verify the efficiency of slab reinforcement concept against punching shear by increasing slab’smechanical reinforcement ratio by applying additional external reinforcement in the form of carbonfiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips.

The capacity enhancement in comparison to unstrengthened slab obtained 36%.

The main objective of this investigation is to assess the feasibility of strengthening of corroded (damaged) square hollow steel tubular sections subjected to compression and to develop or predict the suitable wrapping scheme of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) to enhance the structural behaviour of it.For this study, compact mild steel tubes were used with the main variable being FRP characteristics. Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabrics was used as horizontal strips (lateral ties) with other parameters such as the number of layers and spacing of strips. Among fourteen specimens, six were externally bonded by CFRP strips having a constant width of 50 mm with a spacing of 20 mm and the remaining six were externally bonded by CFRP strips having a constant width of 70 mm with a spacing of 20 mm, two columns were unbonded. Experiments were undertaken until the failure of columns to fully understand the influence of FRP characteristics on the compressive behaviour of the square sections including their failure modes, axial stress-strain behaviour, enhancement in the load carrying capapcity, and effect of distribution of CFRP layers. Finally, the behaviour of externally bonded hollow tubular sections was compared with one another and also with the control specimens. Evaluation of the results will lead to optimum CFRP jacketing/wrapping arrangements for the steel tubes considered here.

In the present study, the evolution of different failure mechanisms in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites is being investigated using acoustic emission technique, unsupervised clustering technique and improved b-value analysis. The experimental part involved the realization of tensile tests of different materials, namely samples with [0/90]2S uniaxial layer configuration and [0/90]2S twill fabric samples. Both types of tests were monitored using one wideband acoustic emission sensor, while the tensile tests of twill fabric samples were additionally supplemented with resonant acoustic emission sensor to perform a comparative analysis between datasets from resonant/wideband acoustic emission sensor. The comparative study itself was preceded by the failure mechanisms characterization process, which has been performed on the tensile test dataset of [0/90]2S layer configuration with the contribution of clustering technique. The subsequent analysis of the twill fabric resonant/wideband acoustic emission sensor datasets included the improved b-value technique, which relates the magnitude of fracture with the slope of the amplitude distribution. The presented results, especially in terms of the improved b-value technique applied to individual clusters, show enhanced ability to assess in more detail the actual structural integrity depending on the applied load.

The paper presents an analysis of the behaviour of bent reinforced concrete beams strengthened with CFRP laminates fixed with adhesive before and after unloading, and more importantly, an analysis of the work of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with pre-stressed CFRP laminates fixed with adhesive. The analyses were based on a moment-curvature model prepared by the author for reinforced concrete beams strengthened under load with pre-stressed CFRP laminates. The model was used to determine the effect of compression with CFRP laminates and their mechanical properties on the effectiveness of strengthening the reinforced concrete beams analysed in this study.

The article presents detailed guidelines for the nonlinear modelling of wood–CFRP beams with full cross-section using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Reviewing the literature has shown that behaviour of such composites is a current research topic, undertaken by many scientists. Complex numerical models made in the Simulia ABAQUS software are the basis for modelling recommendations. Properties of the materials consider the orthotropy and plasticity of wood and CFRP tapes, and the stiffness of adhesive layers with delamination. Results of laboratory experiments, got for a statistically significant number of specimens, confirm the model assumptions. This research paper provides a rich source of knowledge and experiences for scientists and engineers, who deal with mechanics of wood–CFRP composites. The uniqueness of the presentation lies in the detailed description of the complex numerical model. Specification comprises the steps necessary to do complete and successful calculations. The model is suitable for analysing the behaviour of wood–CFRP composites in different reinforcement configurations.

Numerous scholars have identified the shortcomings of imprecise terminology and substantial computational inaccuracies in the current models for predicting the axial compression capacity of CFRPstrengthened reinforced concrete (RC) cylinders. To improve the prediction accuracy of the axial compressive capacity model for CFRP-strengthened RC cylinders, the present axial compressive capacity model for CFRP-strengthened RC cylinders was scrutinized and evaluated. Drawing on Mander’s constraint theory and the concrete triaxial strength model, a novel axial compressive capacity model for CFRP-strengthened RC cylinders was proposed. This study collected 116 experimental data on the axial compression of CFRP-strengthened RC cylinders and analyzed the accuracy of various models using the data. The findings indicate that the model proposed in this study outperforms other models in predicting axial compression capacity and demonstrates high prediction accuracy. Furthermore, an analysis is conducted on the variation law of the model’s predicted value with respect to the design parameters. The proposed model in this study identifies concrete strength, stirrup spacing, and elastic modulus of CFRP as the primary factors that influence the axial compression capacity of CFRP-strengthened RC cylinders.

To promote the application of rubber-cement composites as the main bearing structure and key components in practical engineering under frequent dynamic disturbances, in this work, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) cyclic impact tests of rubber-cement composite specimens with four different confine modes were carried out in which the impact load increased sequentially. The relationship between average strain rate, ultimate strain and impact times and the relationship between peak stress, damage energy, ultimate strain and incident energy were analyzed. The results showed that the appropriate confine reinforcement treatment can make rubber-cement composite give full play to its deformation ability when it was completely damaged. Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheet and steel cylinder can work together with the rubber-cement composite matrix to resist impact load, which effectively improves the structural strength, damage fracture energy, and cyclic impact resistance of the rubber-cement composite. Finally, based on the effect difference of confine modes, the simplified plane force models of rubber-cement composite specimens with four different confine modes were established, which clearly revealed the completely different impact resistance mechanism of the rubber-cement composites with different constraints under cyclic impact loading.