Textile reinforced concrete for strengthening in bending and shear

Using test results it is demonstrated how thin layers of concrete with textile reinforcement can be used for strengthening for reinforced concrete (RC) members. The enhancement of bending capacity is illustrated with flexural strengthened RC-slabs. It is also established that the shear capacity may be increased through strengthening of RC-beams, and that properties of serviceability are improved, in particular the reduction of deflections and crack widths. The detailed problem of force transfer from the textile reinforced strengthening layer to the existing concrete of RC-members is then explained and subsequently the relation between the transferable bond force and the associated bond length is shown. A simple model for dimensioning the flexural strengthening of RC-slabs is presented and necessary model extensions are additionally pointed out.