ABSTRACT
A new technique has been developed to estimate the tensile strength and to analyze the post crack behaviour. As the well known indirect tensile tests such as Brazilian and Wedge Splitting test (WS), this technique called Double Edge Wedge Splitting test (DEWS) could carry out tensile tests by applying a compressive load, thus avoiding the typical problem of direct tensile test such as gluing plates to distribute the load at the ends of the specimen or other load-transferring devices. Furthermore, this technique allows to induce a tensile stress distribution on a specific section without any crosswise compressive stresses. The compressive load was applied through two steel cylinders acting on 45° shaped notches generating in the middle of the sample a tensile state of stress; two compressive
1 INTRODUCTION
The seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete buildings not designed to withstand seismic actions is a current problem of social relevance. Conventional retrofitting methods provide the addition of new structural elements enlarging the existing members. Surface treatment includes different techniques like reinforced concrete jacketing, externally glued steel plates, shotcrete, ferrocement. Current research on advanced materials is mainly concentrated on fibre reinforced plastic (FRP), high performance fibre reinforced concrete (HPFRC), and textile reinforced concrete (TRC). FRP composites are considered to be the most favourable material in many strengthening applications, because they are light-weight and easy to install on site. The material costs of FRP composites are several times more than that of conventional materials (e.g. steel and concrete). Instead of FRP two possible solutions are Textile Reinforced with Alkali Resistant fabrics and Ultra high performance reinforced with steel fibres. The main advantages are the thickness that can vary from 6 mm for TRC to 20 mm for UHPFRC and the cost.
