An Experimental Investigation on One-Way Slabs Reinforced Using FRC and EBR Techniques Under Impact Loading

Reinforced concrete slabs are often subjected to impact loads. Due to a relatively low tensile strength and energy dissipating characteristics, the impact resistance of slabs is considered poor. In this paper, reinforced concrete one-way slabs are prepared and experimentally investigated under impact loading. Since failure in slabs under impact loadings was in the form of punching shear, five techniques are proposed to strengthen slabs against impact loads. These techniques include externally bonded reinforcement with carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets in the form of transverse, longitudinal and diagonal strengthening techniques. Also, the performance of one-way slabs reinforced with fiber reinforced concrete was investigated. The effectiveness of steel and polypropylene fibers in improving the impact resistance of slabs was studied. The results demonstrated that the above-mentioned strengthening techniques in one-way slabs lead to a change in the type of failure, the change of crack patterns and slabs failure. The mentioned strengthening methods lead to an increase in load carrying capacity and increase in dissipated energy.