Flexural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Members with Steel Bars

Abstract

The use of high-tension bars to strengthen flexural members is gaining increasing interest. However, the applicability of current standards to such bars is uncertain, because there may not be a definite yield strength and it may be unclear whether the tensile or compressive failure mode dominates. Determining the balanced–destruction steel ratio is particularly difficult. We measure the bending behaviour of flexural members containing high-tension bars with different yield strengths and tensile steel ratios. We conclude that the maximum-steel-ratio regulation and nominal -strength equation in the current standard remain applicable.