Upgrading steel I-beams using local post-tensioning

• Rebars are used to upgrade the load-carrying capacity of I-beams.
• The rebars are prestressed using manual screw jack.
• Increasing the rebar diameter will increase the beam's load-carrying capacity.
• Increasing the tensioning force will increase the beam's stiffness.

This paper investigates the behaviour of steel beams upgraded using locally pre-stressed reinforcing steel bars. The reinforcing bars were welded to the beam's flange or web at both ends and tensioned using a manual screw jack to increase the load-carrying capacity and stiffness of the beam. In total, seven beams were upgraded and tested under three-point bending, using different configurations of reinforcing steel. Results showed that the level of pre-stress, the type of local prestress (internal or external) and the diameter of rebars used significantly affected the beams' stiffness and their ultimate load-carrying capacity. The results obtained in this study were compared to those of other methods used for upgrading steel beams.