PSI - Issue 64

ScienceDirect Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2023) 000–000 Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2023) 000–000 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Procedia Structural Integrity 64 (2024) 1943–1950

www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

SMAR 2024 – 7th International Conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures Enhanced Sustainability through Strengthening of Existing SMAR 2024 – 7th International Conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures Enhanced Sustainability through Strengthening of Existing Structures with Natural Fibre Ropes Ali Alraie a , Saverio Spadea b, *, Vasant Matsagar a a Department of Civil Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology ( IIT ) Delhi , Hauz Khas , Delhi - 110 016, India b Department of Civil , Environmental , Territorial , Construction and Chemical Engineering , Polytechnic University of Bari , Via Edoardo Orabona , 4, 70126 Bari BA , Italy Abstract Natural fibre products have recently been introduced to the construction industry owing to their advantages, such as cost effectiveness, lightweight, corrosion resistance, and low carbon footprint. Such products have been utilised for flooring, roofing, and insulation systems, and more limitedly, as a replacement for steel reinforcements in reinforced concrete (RC) members. This study investigates the efficacy of strengthening existing structures by post-tensioning them using unbonded ropes made from natural jute fibre (NJF). Analytical investigation, finite element (FE) analysis, and experimental campaign have been carried out to evaluate the effect of post-tensioning with unbonded NJF ropes on the flexural behaviour of RC beams. The proposed post tensioning technique has improved the load-carrying capacity by 18.6% and reduced the deflection of the beam at the service load by 45%. The investigation disclosed that the post-tensioning ratio had dominated the behaviour proportionally, i.e., the more post-tensioning applied, the better capacity and serviceability performance achieved. Further, such a technique is found to possess the potential to overcome the serious issue associated with post-tensioning, represented by corrosion of steel cables, and offering more flexibility by enabling the replacement of the unbonded ropes when needed. Hence, natural fibre ropes were recommended to strengthen existing structures for better performance and sustainability. The outcome represented by enhancing the flexural performance of structural elements and controlling the serviceability by post-tensioning using natural jute fibre (NJF) ropes is deemed promising, especially when considering the advantages of this green material and its positivity from an environmental perspective. This innovative technique may set the base for further employment of natural fibres in the construction industry to mitigate the increasing impact of construction, which continuously degrades the planet. Structures with Natural Fibre Ropes Ali Alraie a , Saverio Spadea b, *, Vasant Matsagar a a Department of Civil Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology ( IIT ) Delhi , Hauz Khas , Delhi - 110 016, India b Department of Civil , Environmental , Territorial , Construction and Chemical Engineering , Polytechnic University of Bari , Via Edoardo Orabona , 4, 70126 Bari BA , Italy Abstract Natural fibre products have recently been introduced to the construction industry owing to their advantages, such as cost effectiveness, lightweight, corrosion resistance, and low carbon footprint. Such products have been utilised for flooring, roofing, and insulation systems, and more limitedly, as a replacement for steel reinforcements in reinforced concrete (RC) members. This study investigates the efficacy of strengthening existing structures by post-tensioning them using unbonded ropes made from natural jute fibre (NJF). Analytical investigation, finite element (FE) analysis, and experimental campaign have been carried out to evaluate the effect of post-tensioning with unbonded NJF ropes on the flexural behaviour of RC beams. The proposed post tensioning technique has improved the load-carrying capacity by 18.6% and reduced the deflection of the beam at the service load by 45%. The investigation disclosed that the post-tensioning ratio had dominated the behaviour proportionally, i.e., the more post-tensioning applied, the better capacity and serviceability performance achieved. Further, such a technique is found to possess the potential to overcome the serious issue associated with post-tensioning, represented by corrosion of steel cables, and offering more flexibility by enabling the replacement of the unbonded ropes when needed. Hence, natural fibre ropes were recommended to strengthen existing structures for better performance and sustainability. The outcome represented by enhancing the flexural performance of structural elements and controlling the serviceability by post-tensioning using natural jute fibre (NJF) ropes is deemed promising, especially when considering the advantages of this green material and its positivity from an environmental perspective. This innovative technique may set the base for further employment of natural fibres in the construction industry to mitigate the increasing impact of construction, which continuously degrades the planet. © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of SMAR 2024 Organizers

* Corresponding author. +39-080-596-3482; E-mail address: saverio.spadea@poliba.it * Corresponding author. +39-080-596-3482; E-mail address: saverio.spadea@poliba.it

2452-3216 © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of SMAR 2024 Organizers 10.1016/j.prostr.2024.09.266 2452-3216 © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of SMAR 2024 Organizers 2452-3216 © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of SMAR 2024 Organizers