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RC structural wall with unbonded tendons strengthened with high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete

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Abstract

A new technique based on the use of high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (HPFRC) in seismic structural walls with unbonded tendons is investigated herein. The aim of using this kind of structural wall, which develops a rocking behaviour under horizontal loading, is to limit or avoid damage during seismic events. The technique consists of strengthening the base of reinforced concrete (RC) walls provided with unbonded tendons by replacing the regular concrete at the wall toes with HPFRC, which can enhance the wall properties and be used to strengthen or repair existing RC walls. A full-scale test was performed on a rocking wall, before and after strengthening at the wall toes. Local deformations at the toes were measured in detail to quantify the extent of concrete damage in relation to wall drift and to assist future theoretical modelling. The results show that the strengthening technique can considerably limit damage at the ultimate state.

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Acknowledgements

The experimental test was partly financed by MIUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research) as part of PRIN 2004 (Research Programme of National Interest). The contribution of UNIECO S.c.r.l., Calcestruzzi S.p.A., Ferriera Valsabbia S.p.A. and Axim Italia S.p.A. allowed the construction of the experimental wall apparatus. The wall strengthening material was kindly offered by Tecnochem Italiana S.p.A. The authors gratefully acknowledge all the supporters. The authors are grateful to P. Spatti, D. Finazzi, L. Zanetti, M. Salami and D. Fiorillo, who assisted us in designing and testing the wall, and to the staff of Brescia University’s P. Pisa Laboratory. Lastly, our special thanks go to Prof. Ezio Giuriani for his fruitful discussions with us and his invaluable suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil, Architectural, Environmental, Land Planning Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    M. Preti

  2. Civil Engineering Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

    A. Meda

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  1. M. Preti
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  2. A. Meda
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Correspondence to A. Meda.

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Preti, M., Meda, A. RC structural wall with unbonded tendons strengthened with high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete. Mater Struct 48, 249–260 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-013-0180-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-013-0180-8

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