ABSTRACT
Prestressing concrete is a great technique to improve the serviceability state of RC members subjected flexure. Relatively new materials such as iron-based shape memory alloys (FeSMA) can be a great alternative for conventional prestressing system. Using the shape memory effect, concrete members can be prestressed without the need of hydraulic jacks, ducts or anchor heads. The flexurally strengthened members exhibit higher cracking load, initial stiffness and reduced deflections with simultaneous ductile behaviour up to failure that is usually due to concrete crushing. In the paper, a brief description of FeSMA including utilization of shape memory effect for prestressing and tensile behaviour of materials is presented. The existing prestressing systems for flexural strengthening of RC members are described. Previous studies based on flexural strengthening using prestressed memory steel are revised, summarized and discussed. Selected real-life implementation is described to confirm the practicality and feasibility of the strengthening using FeSMA systems.
