Determination of Ultimate Torque and Twist of High Strength RC Beams with Ferrocement “U” Wraps: Different Approaches

Abstract

Designers are more interested in strength at cracking rather than ultimate strength. Still then beyond cracking, the structures are able to sustain more loads. So, determination of ultimate strength is an important parameter in design field. Evaluation of ultimate torsional capacity of high strength distressed beams with ferrocement “U” wrap has been presented here.  The evaluation procedure involves experimental results, results obtained by analytical method. As the above two methods are not providing quick solution, rather than the first one is based on destruction of prototype structure for evaluation of strength. Other methods such as soft computing methods have been employed. Two methods MARS and WASPAS are employed here to compute the torsional strength of “U” wrapped beams. These two methods provide quick solutions to estimate the torque and twist at ultimate stage. Predicted values by these methods are within acceptable limits. At ultimate stage , the “U” wrapped beams are able to resist torque more than 41.37% than the unwrapped beams and a completely over reinforced beam resists 98.01% more than plain “U” wrapped beams. Under reinforced “U” wrap beams have undergone 23.9 times more twist than that of plain “U” wrap beams. This proves effectiveness of “U” wrap on periphery of distressed beams.