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Deflection Control of Concrete Wide Beams Supporting Columns Using CFRP Composites and Honeycomb Plates
Abdulaziz Baatiah1, Hussein Elsanadedy1, Aref Abadel1
1Chair of Research and Studies in Strengthening and Rehabilitation of Structures, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia.
Polymers
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and a hybrid system effectively control deflection in reinforced concrete wide beams with planted columns. These retrofitting methods significantly enhance structural performance and meet serviceability requirements.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Reinforced concrete (RC) joist slab systems with wide beams are common in Middle Eastern residential construction.
- Excessive deflection in RC wide beams supporting planted columns is a prevalent issue, even with adequate flexural and shear design.
- Current design codes often struggle to address deflection control in these specific structural configurations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally evaluate the effectiveness of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in controlling deflection in RC wide beams with planted columns.
- To assess a novel hybrid system of CFRP sheets and CFRP/honeycomb plates as a deflection control strategy.
- To develop an analysis procedure for estimating the flexural strength and deflection of retrofitted beams.
Main Methods:
- Testing of four half-scale RC wide beam specimens with planted columns to failure.
- Comparison of two control specimens (standard design exceeding deflection limits and code-compliant design) with two retrofitted specimens.
- Application of externally bonded CFRP sheets to one specimen and a hybrid CFRP/honeycomb plate system to another.
- Development of a theoretical analysis procedure for flexural strength and deflection.
Main Results:
- Retrofitted beams showed significant improvements in flexural performance, with peak load increases of 65-71%.
- Stiffness gains ranged from 63-67% in the strengthened beams.
- Deflections at peak load were reduced by 45-48%, meeting serviceability requirements.
Conclusions:
- Both CFRP sheets and the hybrid system are effective in controlling excessive deflection in RC wide beams with planted columns.
- The retrofitting techniques enhance the overall structural performance and load-carrying capacity of the beams.
- The developed analysis procedure provides a valuable tool for predicting the behavior of these strengthened structural elements.
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