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Reinforced concrete beams need strengthening when the existing steel bars in the beam are unsafe or insufficient, or when the loads applied to the beam are increased. In such cases, there are different solutions that could be followed: I-ADDING REINFORCEMENT STEEL BARS TO THE MAIN STEEL WITHOUT INCREASING THE BEAM’S CROSS SECTIONAL AREA This solution is carried out when the reinforcing steel bars are not capable to carry the stresses applied to the beam. The following steps should be followed: 1. The concrete cover is removed for both the upper and lower steel bars. 2. The steel bars are well cleaned and coated with an appropriate material that would prevent corrosion. 3. Holes are made, in the whole span of the beam under the slab, as shown in Fig.1, 15-25cm apart, a diameter of 1.3cm and extend to the total width of the beam.Fig.1: Holes in the span of a beam
Fig.2- Strengthening a beam without increasing cross sectional area.
Fig.3: Strengthening of beam by increasing the cross-sectional area and bars
Fig.4: Strengthening of Beam by adding steel plates
In some cases, it is needed to reduce the load on the beam that needs strengthening before implementing the previous steps, either partial or complete unloading. This is made by putting steel beams on top or below the concrete beams, as shown in Fig5.Fig.5: Reducing the load on the beam using steel beam.
