Dowels effectiveness investigation between ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete and reinforced concrete

Abstract

In the present study, the performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams which were strengthened with Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) and dowels at the interface was investigated. RC beams with a length of 2.2 m strengthened with UHPFRC layers at the tensile side. Before the application of the layers, the interface between RC and UHPFRC was roughened. During the testing, the interface slips between UHPFRC and RC were recorded using Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs). The beams were tested under four-point flexural test. The results of the present study indicated that the dowels at the interface reduce the slips at the interface, delay the formation of cracks and result in higher load carrying capacity.