Shear Enhancement of RC Beams Using Low-Cost Natural Fiber Rope Reinforced Polymer Composites

The aim of this research work is to investigate the efficiency of newly developed Natural Fiber Rope Reinforced Polymer (NFRRP) composites to enhance the shear strength of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Two types of NFRRP composites were made using low-cost hemp and cotton fiber ropes. The effectiveness of this NFRRP confinement in increasing the shear, energy dissipation, and deformation capacities of concrete beams was studied. The effect of these natural fiber ropes with different configurations on beams was investigated. The responses of seven RC beams with different spacing arrangements of natural fiber ropes were evaluated in terms of shear enhancement, deflection, energy dissipation capacity, effect of strengthening configuration, rope types, and ultimate failure modes. The NFRRP composites exceptionally enhanced the load carrying abilities, energy dissipation, and deformation capabilities of RC beams as compared to the control beam. The ultimate load carrying capacities of natural hemp and cotton Fiber Rope Reinforced Polymer (FRRP) composite confined beams were found to be 63% and 56% higher than that of the control beam, respectively. Thus, the shear strengthening of RC beams using natural fiber ropes is found to be an effective technique. Finite Element Analysis was also carried out by using the Advanced Tool for Engineering Nonlinear Analysis (ATENA) software. The analysis results compare favorably with the tests’ results.

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