High-performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composites for retrofitting

This paper will describe the technology necessary for preparing high-performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC) characterised by high tensile/flexural strength and high energy-absorption capacity (i.e. ductility). The special characteristics of HPFRCCs make them particularly suitable for repair, remedial and upgrading activities (i.e. retrofitting) of existing concrete structures. The promising results of several studies using HPFRCCs for retrofitting damaged concrete structural members will be presented. It will be shown that damaged reinforced concrete beams can be strengthened and rehabilitated in a variety of different retrofit configurations using pre-cast HPFRCC strips adhesively bonded to prepared surfaces of the damage beams.