Polymer Flexible Joint as a Repair Method of Concrete Elements: Flexural Testing and Numerical Analysis

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science
• Structural Engineering

Background:

• Concrete elements often suffer damage, requiring effective repair methods.
• Traditional repair techniques may not always restore full load-bearing and deformation capacities.
• Polymer Flexible Joints (PFJ) offer a novel approach to concrete repair and element connection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the application and influence of Polymer Flexible Joints (PFJ) on concrete beams subjected to bending.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of PFJ in repairing failed concrete elements.
• To analyze the impact of PFJ on stress redistribution and deformation behavior in concrete.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation using four-point bending tests on plain and PFJ-repaired concrete beams.
• Calibration of numerical models based on experimental results.
• Development of a nonlinear numerical model to simulate concrete and polymer behavior under load.

Main Results:

• PFJ repair positively influences the load capacity of connected concrete elements.
• Stress redistribution within concrete elements is observed due to PFJ application.
• Repaired elements exhibit enhanced deformation capabilities compared to original elements.

Conclusions:

• Polymer Flexible Joints (PFJ) are an effective method for repairing and connecting concrete elements.
• PFJ enhances both the load-bearing capacity and the deformation tolerance of concrete structures.
• The study confirms PFJ as a viable and efficient solution for concrete element repair.