Rotation capacity and stress redistribution ability of R-UHPFRC-RC composite continuous beams: an experimental investigation

The results of tests on two continuous composite beams combining a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with a layer of reinforced ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (R-UHPFRC) are presented. The R-UHPFRC element acts both as a tensile membrane and a flexural element. The tests show the element's contribution to the member capacity by allowing the redistribution of the internal forces. The continuous beams are placed on two intermediate supports; the shear span-depth ratios and stirrup content are chosen to provoke two successive formations of local flexure-shear collapse mechanisms, forming a plastic hinge at each support. With the formation of the first support hinge, the stresses redistribute. As the applied actuator displacement increases, the member continues to resist the increasing force up to the formation of a second support hinge that causes the member to collapse. The member deflection and resistance at collapse were respectively 4.5 and 1.3 times greater than the corresponding values at the formation of the first hinge. The response demonstrates the redundancy in RC beams with additional R-UHPFRC reinforcement, which can be used for designing structures against progressive collapse.