A shear design model for RC beams strengthened with fabric reinforced cementitious matrix

The shear behavior of fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) strengthened beams requires more research efforts to be fully understood. A detailed investigation into the shear capacity of FRCM shear-strengthened beams has generally been limited. Therefore, the development of an accurate and reliable mechanics-based design model is required for broader applications of the FRCM system. This research contribution proposes a shear model based on the simplified modified compression field theory (SMCFT). The accuracy of the proposed model was assessed and compared against an experimental database of FRCM shear-strengthened beams available in the literature. The database is representative of various beam geometries, concrete strengths, and internal reinforcement. Moreover, the FRCM strengthening system comprises of different fiber types including carbon, glass, basalt, and polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) applied using different bond schemes. The proposed analytical procedure provides accurate and safe predictions for the shear capacity of the strengthened beams with an average theoretical to experimental shear capacity (Vth/Vex) ratio of 0.96 with a standard deviation of 0.14. Moreover, the prediction capability of the proposed model was compared with other models available in the literature and resulted in a better prediction capability in terms of safety, accuracy, and economic aspects. - 2019 Elsevier LtdThis paper was made possible by NPRP grant # NPRP 7-1720-2-641 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation) and internal grant # QUST-CENG-SPR-14/15-15. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu