Prediction of Twist at Ultimate Torque of Ferrocement U Wrapped RCC Beams

G.C. Behera, M.R.Dhal

Wrapping technology is one of the effective ways of strengthening concrete elements. Several researchers reported the effectiveness of Glass fiber reinforced polymers and carbon fiber reinforced polymers for improving the strength of the concrete elements. Wrapping on three sides is one of the effective methods for strengthening the beams supporting slabs. Scant literature is available on the strength enhancement of “U” wrapped concrete elements subjected to torsional loads. In this investigation an attempt is made to quantify the improvement in twist of “U” wrapped rectangular concrete members subjected to torsional loads “U” wraps. Ferrocement is taken here as wrapping material. Beams were cast with different number of mesh layers with different torsional reinforcement. Beams were cast with normal and high strength mortar and concrete. Thirty beams were tested to validate the result.  The beams were analyzed with MARS. The predictions for twist at ultimate torque are in good agreement with experimental test results.