INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY

TECHNOVATION (IRJMT)
http://www.mapletreejournals.com/index.php/IRJMT
Received 08 August 2019 ISSN 2582-1040
Accepted 21 October 2019 2019; 1(6); 503-508
Published online 02 November 2019

Experimental Study on Behaviour of

Rc T-Beam Strengthened with Jute Fiber Laminates - A Review
N. Tharunkumar 1, *, G. Anand 2
1
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology, Namakkal.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology, Namakkal.
*
Corresponding Author E-mail: ntharunkumar97@gmail.com
Doi: https://doi.org/10.34256/irjmtcon72

ABSTRACT
The present investigation addresses the external strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) T-
beams using jute fiber laminates. An experimental study is mainly carried out to study the change
in structural behaviour of RC T-beams using externally wrapped jute fiber laminates, to enhance
the shear and flexural capacity of the beams. The effect of pattern and orientation of the
strengthening fabric on the shear capacity of the strengthened beams will be examined. RC T-
beams with minimum shear reinforcement is designed and then external confinement using jute
fiber laminates is carried out using epoxy resin. The layer confinement is executed to study and
analyze the behaviour of confined beams with respect to control beam. Experimental results
showing the advantage of beam strengthened using the various lay-ups of jute fiber are to be
discussed. For all developed composites, experimental results revealed that the tensile properties
of the developed composites are strongly dependent on the tensile strength of jute fiber and that
the tensile properties of jute fiber are very much defect sensitive. Jute as a natural fiber is eco-
friendly, low cost, versatile in textile fields and has moderate mechanical properties, which
replaced several synthetic fibers in development of many composite materials. However, the
hydrophilic nature of the jute fiber affects the mechanical properties of the developed composites.
As a result to arrest crack and improve the strength of beam.
Keywords: Jute fiber laminates, epoxy resin.

INTRODUCTION
Jute as a natural fiber is eco-friendly, low cost, versatile in textile fields and has moderate
mechanical properties, which replaced several synthetic fibers in development of many composite
materials. However, the hydrophilic nature of the jute fiber affects the mechanical properties of
the developed composites. Another important issue to note that the tensile strength of jute fiber is
extremely defect and span sensitive. As a result, the stiffness values are usually corrected as per
various failure strains following the proposed mathematical relationships. Usually, it is difficult to
make unidirectional (UD) jute perform manually under dry condition. Hackling under dry or wet
condition introduces more defects on the fibrous perform. However, fiber matrix interface is better
understood by UD composite. As a result, UD jute perform or roving preparation has become a
valuable step and that, nowadays, it is gaining a great importance. Multidirectional isotropic
behavior can be achieved by staking the UD ply in different angles, which yields Composite with
anisotropic physical and mechanical properties.
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The composites can be prepared with desired properties by orienting the fibers according
to the application. The composites are comparatively cheaper to manufacture and there are various
manufacturing processes available for the composites. The surface finish of the composite is
comparatively much higher and it can be manufactured in different techniques. The use of
composites has given more flexibility to design engineers to develop new design and for
modifications in the existing design. Since the composites are easier to handle and synthesize.
The microstructures of the fiber reinforced composites were observed in scanning electron
microscope composites. The prepared composites were subjected to mechanical characterization
such as hardness, flexural strength, impact, tensile test and the mechanical properties were
evaluated and analyzed.

MATERIALS USED
CEMENT
In this study Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was used. Many tests were conducted to
cement like specific gravity, consistency and initial setting time. The cement is tested for various
properties like specific gravity, Initial setting time, Standard Consistency in accordance with IS
383:1970

FINE AGGREGATE
The locally available river sand was used as fine aggregate in the present investigation.
The sand is tested for various properties like specific gravity, fineness modulus and water
absorption in accordance with IS 383:1970.

COARSE AGGREGATE
Coarse aggregate is the crushed stone, which is used for making concrete. The particles are
greater than 4.75mm, but generally range between 9.5 mm to 37.5 mm in diameter. The aggregate
is tested for various properties like specific gravity, fineness modulus and water absorption in
accordance with IS 383:1970.

EPOXY RESIN
Based on previous research and on the recommendation of one of the resin known as
epoxy resin was chosen for its high peel strength, excellent shear strength properties, and its
ability to bond dissimilar substrates.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Tara Sen and Jagannatha Reddy (2011) discussed about the application of sisal, bamboo, coir
and jute natural composites in structural up gradation. They suggest that the use of natural fibres,
sisal fibre reinforced composite, bamboo fibre reinforced composite, coir reinforced composite
and jute fibre reinforced composite are of particular interest as these composites have high impact
strength besides having moderate tensile and flexural properties compared to other lignocellulosic
fibres. Economic and other related factors in many developing countries where natural fibres are
abundant, demand that scientists and engineers apply appropriate technology to utilize these
N.Tharunkumar & G.Anand / International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Technovation /2019, 1(6), 503-508
natural fibres as effectively and economically as possible for structural up gradation and also other
purposes for housing and other needs and also for various other applications etc.

Anumol Raju and Liji Anna Mathew (2013)described about the retrofitting of RC beams using
FRP. This paper presents an experimental study on reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with
various types of fibres externally. Full wrapping technique is adopted on all four sides of the
beam. The objective of the study is to investigate the behaviour of beams after retrofitting using
various natural and synthetic fibres including steel fibres, polypropylene fibres, glass fibres, coir
fibres, carbon fibres etc.

Ismail Qeshta et al. (2016) carried out the research progress on the flexural behaviour of
externally bonded RC beams. The flexural behaviour of strengthened reinforced concrete(RC)
beams is more complicated compared to the normal beams due to the different bond conditions
and properties of the externally bonded material. Beams bonded with unconventional materials,
such as sprayed FRP, TRM, FRC and aluminum-glass, showed a considerable increase in the load
carrying capacity and stiffness according to the limited number of studies reported. The overall
enhancement in ultimate load, yield load and service load stiffness was above 35%.The cement
based composites have attracted significant attention in the past few years. The use of a
cementitious matrix instead of a polymeric adhesive makes it a more economic replacement to the
currently commonly used FRPs. This paper discussed the available literature concerning the
materials used for the strengthening of RC beams using the external bonding (EB) technique.

Michael Chajes et al. (1994) studied the flexural strengthening of concrete beams using
externally bonded composite materials. A series of reinforced concrete beams were tested in four
point bending to determine the ability of externally bonded composite fabrics to improve the
beams flexural capacity. The fabrics used were made of aramid, E-glass and graphite fibres, and
were bonded to the beams using a two-part epoxy. The results of this study indicate that externally
applied composite fabrics can be effectively used to rehabilitate or strengthen concrete beams.

Attari et al. (2012) examined the flexural strengthening of concrete beams using CFRP,GFRP
and hybrid FRP sheets. This study is conducted to examine the efficiency of external
strengthening systems for reinforced concrete beams using FRP fabric (Glass Carbon). A total of
seven flexural strengthened reinforced concrete beams are instrumented and tested under repeated
loading sequences using a 4-point bending device to complete a failure analysis. This paper
highlights the efficiency of external strengthening for RC beams using FRP fabric. The results
reveal the cost-effectiveness of twin layer glass–carbon FRP fabric.

Tara Sen and Jagannatha Reddy (2013) evaluated the efficacy of jute textile reinforced
polymer composite (JFRP) as compared to CFRP and GFRP for the flexural strengthening of
reinforced concrete beams was compared by carrying out bending test on reinforced concrete
beams in three groups of fourteen beams. The work carries out the study of failure modes, flexural
strengthening effect on ultimate load and load deflection behaviour as well as the deflection
ductility study of RC beams bonded externally with JFRP, CFRP and GFRP, wrapped in U
configuration in single layer, along the entire length of the beam in full wrapping and strip
wrapping technique. The results depicted that JFRP, CFRP and GFRP, strengthening improved
the ultimate flexural strength of the RC beams by 62.5%, 150% and 125% respectively, with full
N.Tharunkumar & G.Anand / International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Technovation /2019, 1(6), 503-508
wrapping technique and by 25%, 50% and 37.5%, respectively with strip wrapping technique.
JFRP strengthening displayed highest deformability index and proved that jute textile FRP
material has huge potential as a structural strengthening material.

Poorna Prasad Rao and RamaMohan Rao (2016) presented about the retrofitting of reinforced
concrete beams using Rubberized coir fiber, a natural laminate,inboth flexure and shear for which
is subjected under two point loading. The main aim of this study is to rehabilitate the structurally
deficient beam and to make it serviceable in both flexure and shear. The beams retrofitted with
rubberized coir fibre sheets(RCFS) are used to make structure efficient and to restore stiffness and
strength values greater than those of control beams.

Lakshmikandhan et al. (2013) checked performance of the beams under cyclic loading. Firstly,
applied load on beam through hydraulic jack in sequential cyclic load increment with a suitable
increment for two point bending. The stiffness degradation in each cycle had been observed for an
equivalent damage assessment. Then beam was repaired by CFRP at bottom and again loaded
until the failure. In the end they found that the repaired beam restored the original strength with
about 30% additional load capacity. They also found that the presence of damage improves the
performance of repaired RC beam with more energy dissipation and delays deboning or
delamination.

Prasanna Venkatesan Ramani et al., (2015)Conducted an experimental study on the strength

and durability properties of geopolymer concrete prepared using the ground granulated blast
furnace slag and black rice husk ash. Test results reveal that the addition of BRHA beyond 20% is
not beneficial for geopolymer concrete. The 30% of BRHA replaced specimens neither achieved
significant strength nor proved durable. The strength results showed that an optimum proportion
of BRHA that can be used in geopolymer concrete is 20% considering the target strength of 30
Mpa. It can also be seen from the durability studies that the geopolymer concrete performed
remarkably well with regard to chloride penetration and corrosion resistance for up to 20 %
BRHA replacement.

Ataur Rahman et al. (2018) presents the results of experimental investigation on concrete
cylinders confined with two different types of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets, they are:
synthetic high strength CFRP composites and composites using natural fiber like Jute. An
experimental study was conducted, where twenty six small scale cylindrical concrete specimens
(100 × 200 mm) were subjected to uniaxial compression up to failure and the corresponding stress
strain behaviors were observed. The ultimate failure load and the deformation at peak load were
the two important observations. The results demonstrate that a significant increase in the
compressive strength can be achieved by confining the concrete with CFRP but both strength and
ductility are compromised when concrete is wrapped with JUTE-FRP. However, JUTE-FRP
shows reasonably good ductile behavior for the case of low strength concrete and can safely be
used for brick masonry column. For low cost strengthening work, JUTE-FRP can be an alternative
option for low strength concrete and masonry works.

CONCLUSION
1. From the literature studies, It is found that the use of jute FRP material bonded with
adhesive resin by confinement to RC structures is one of the efficient method for external
strengthening.
N.Tharunkumar & G.Anand / International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Technovation /2019, 1(6), 503-508
2. The literature studies conducted on various beam specimens clearly shows that ductility,
energy absorption capacity, stiffness and load
carrying capacity of the specimens have been increased.
3. The flexural strength test conducted on prism shows increase in modulus of rupture for
single layer confinement compared to conventional concrete prism.
4. The axial compressive strength for cylinder also shows increase in axial compression for
single layer confinement compared to conventional concrete cylinder.
5. From the above two test results it is concluded that RC structures withstand high strength
compare to conventional and single layer confinement.
6. The RCC beams have been casted and it is in curing process. The confinement for RC
beam using jute FRP will be discussed in future.

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