Flexural Performance of Concrete T-Beams Reinforced with UHPC: Experimental and Theoretical Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/Keywords:
Concrete T-beam, UHPC, Strengthening, Flexural performance, Predictive modelAbstract
This study investigates the flexural performance of concrete T-beams reinforced with thin layers of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) through a combination of experimental testing and theoretical analysis. Three T-beam specimens with varying UHPC thicknesses were fabricated and subjected to loading to evaluate their failure modes, load-displacement responses, and strain distributions. The experimental results show that the incorporation of UHPC reinforcing-layers significantly enhances the flexural performance of the T-beams. As the layer thickness increased from 0 mm to 50 mm, the flexural stiffness of the T-beams increased by 167.8%, the initial cracking load of the T-beams rose by 241.0%, and the ultimate flexural resistance of the T-beams improved by 40.8%. Based on these findings, a predictive model for the flexural resistance of UHPC-reinforced T-beams was developed. The model's predictions showed a relative error of less than 10% when compared to experimental results, confirming its reliability and adequate safety margin. These findings provide valuable insights for the design of deficient concrete T-beams flexurally strengthened using UHPC thin layers.
Received: 03.02.2025
Received in revised form: 11.09.2025
Accepted: 02.12.2025
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