In this paper the technique of strengthening reinforced concrete beams to prevent the bending phenomenon by increasing the thickness in the compressed chord region is evaluated. Two reinforced concrete beams with identical longitudinal and transversal dimensions and fixings, were molded. After twenty-eight days, one of these beams was reinforced with a layer of high-resistant concrete in the compressed region. A third beam was single-stage molded using both types of concrete and had the final characteristics of the previously reinforced beam. Finally, the rupture behavior of the three beams was analyzed, proving the efficiency of the reinforcement technique proposal.
Beam strengthening for bending prevention; beam; reinforced concrete
