Torsional behaviour of reinforced concrete beams with ferrocement U-jacketing—Experimental study

Wrapping technology is one of the effective ways of strengthening concrete elements. Several researchers reported the effectiveness of Glass fiber reinforced polymers and carbon fiber reinforced polymers for improving the strength of the concrete elements. Wrapping on three sides is one of the effective methods for strengthening the beams supporting slabs. Available literatures on the strength enhancement of “U” wrapped concrete elements subjected to torsional loads do not give a detailed insight, whereas this investigation is an attempt to address the issues with ferrocement “U” wrap. Ferrocement “U” wraps are preferred over FRPs because of its cost factor. The “U” wraps are found to provide better torque carrying capacity under all states of torsion while under reinforced members provide better toughness over other states of torsion. Similarly completely over reinforced beams provide more torque resisting capacity than the others. Increase of torsional capacity is more prominent in states of torsion while improvement in torsional strength with number of mesh layers in ferrocement “U” wrap is minimal.