Ability of pre-cast strain-hardening cementitious composite plates to enhance the shear performance of RC haunched beams

The purpose of this paper is to test ten identical reinforced concrete haunched beams (RCHBs) to determine the effectiveness of pre-cast strain-hardening cementitious composite (PSHCC) plates for shear strengthening. For this purpose, the PSHCC plates have been manufactured in accordance with the test parameters, let to cure for roughly 30 days, and then dipped into the strengthened RCHBs' concrete cover at the critical shear span. The used PSHCC plates are rectangular in shape with a 20 mm thickness and a 100 mm width, and they are reinforced with a single layer of steel wire mesh. The considered key parameters were the effect of shear reinforcement in the test region, the PSHCC plate orientation angle (450, 600, or 900), and the spacing between PSHCC plates (200, 250, or 300 mm). In addition, it was interesting to observe how the strengthening plates, if they exist, are positioned in relation to the inner stirrups (aligned, un-aligned, or inclined). The application of PSHCC substantially enhanced the ultimate shear capacity of the strengthened beams, according to the results of experimental tests. Moreover, the inclined configuration of the PSHCC demonstrated higher shear performance than the vertical configuration, both in terms of the shear cracks characteristics and ultimate capacity. As well, the ductility and serviceability characteristics of the strengthened RCHBs were obviously affected by the application of PSHCC plates. Finally, a proposed analytical model was developed to estimate the shear capacity of the strengthened RCHBs using PSHCC plates.