Strengthening of RC Beams using Steel Plate-fiber Concrete Composite Jackets: Finite Element Simulation and Experimental Investigation

In this research, steel plate-fiber concrete composite jackets (SPFCJ) was used to strengthen the RC beams. The accuracy of the analysis method was evaluated by modeling RC beams fabricated in the laboratory, and a good agreement was observed. Variables in the finite element method (FEM) analysis include the strength class of concrete used in the main beam (15, 20, and 25 MPa), the beam length (1.4 and 2.8 m), the type of jackets (RC jacket, SPFCJ, and CFRP sheet), and jacket thickness (40, 60 and 80 mm). SPFCJ is effective for all three concrete grades and increased the energy absorption capacity by 1.88, 2.07, and 2.25 times, respectively. The bearing capacity of the strengthened beam with 60 mm composite jackets increased by 79 and 20% more than the values corresponding to jackets with 40 and 80 mm thickness. The jacket thickness parameter significantly influences the response of strengthened beams with the proposed composite jackets. Depending on the dimensions and geometric characteristics of the beam, the appropriate thickness for the jacket should be considered, and increasing the thickness can not always improve the beam bearing capacity.