Spanish university develops tests with HBM equipment for externally reinforced concrete beams
The structural research team at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain, has developed tests to determine the stresses in concrete beams that are used in construction.
The tests, that have taken the past two years to develop, focus on the use of externally reinforced carbon fiber laminate to reinforce the concrete beams.
The use of carbon fiber laminates (CFRP) has increased over the past several years. CFRP characteristically has its fibers running in one direction to provide a semi-rigid structure with high modulus when bonded with an epoxy adhesive.
The laboratory tests were undertaken to simulate varioustypes of failures that can commonly occur. These include:
- Removal of a concrete roof
- Removal of the end laminate interfacial
- Detachment of the laminate interfacial induced by the fracture
- Shear failure in concrete