Question 1 Concrete properties

When is the E-modulus needed and what do we assume when using this value?
- for calculation of deformations in the serviceability state
- assumption of elastic behaviour
Question 2 Concrete properties
Which kinds of tensile strengths are measured to characterize the tensile
behaviour? Give two examples!
- flexual tensile strength
- splitting tensile strength
direct tensile strength (+1P)
Question 3 Concrete properties
Which effects on the measured concrete strength do different specimen types
induce?
a) form (cube/cylinder)
- measured cube strength is larger than cylinder strength
b) size (small/large)
- small specimens lead to higher measured strength values than large specimens
Question 4 Concrete properties
Regarding the compressive strength of concrete, specify whether the measured
strength for a cube specimen is larger, equal or smaller than for a cylinder
specimen! State why!
- measured cube strength is larger than cylinder strength
- ratio height : width = 1 : 1 for cubes or 2 : 1 for cylinders resp.
Question 5 Concrete properties
Bond between concrete and steel is essential for force transfer in the material
compound. Give four influencing parameters on the load bearing behaviour of the
steel-concrete bond!
- strength of concrete

- concrete cover
- geometry of reinforcement (diameter, end hooks, welded transverse rebars)
- distance between the rebars
bond conditions (position of rebar during concreting)

Question 6 Concrete properties

Which possibilities of in-situ testing of concrete strength do you know?
- Surface hardness testing (Rebound Hammer)
- Drilling core testing
Question 7 Concrete properties
The bond between concrete and reinforcing steel is essential for the transfer of
forces in the material compound. Which kinds of bond are known?
- adhesive bond
- frictional bond
- shear bond

Question 8 Multi-axial load bearing behaviour

How can we ensure that the sample in a multi-axial test can deform freely without
confining effects?
- Load introduction using steel brushes

Question 9 Multi-axial load bearing behaviour

Sketch, how biaxial stress acts in a dome. Mark at least two areas of distinct
Stress distribution patterns.
C
C
C

C: Compression
T: Tension

T
C
C

Question 10 Multi-axial load bearing behaviour

Give one example where we can find a triaxial stress state!
- concrete socket under the support of a bridge girder

Question 11 Strengthening
What are the aims of strengthening concrete structures?
- Rehabilitation or improvement of the load bearing capacity, the serviceability, the
durability or the fatigue behaviour

Question 12 Strengthening

Which are the necessary proofs for strengthening an RC T-beam with shotcrete?
- determination of reinforcement at the points of maximum bending moment
recalculate the effective depth of cross section with chosen extra reinforcement
- checking of minimum reinforcement
- checking of maximum reinforcement
- shear force design at the points of maximum shear force including
- minimum stirrup reinforcement
- proof of concrete compressive strut
- prof of ties calculation of shear reinforcement
- Bond proof for shear at the interface between old concrete and shotcrete
- Anchorage at end supports

Question 13 Strengthening
According to the modes of failure which exist for structures strengthened with CFRP
the ability to bear the loads must be proved. Which proofs are therefore required in
the ULS?
- limitation of stress / strain in the FRP to avoid rupture
- limitation of stress / strain in the FRP to avoid debonding
(FRP can normally not be used to its fullest tensile strength)
- limitation of shear stress in the adhesive to avoid debonding
- ensuring yielding of internal steel to ensure ductility
(by limitation of the height of the cracks for bending)

Question 14 Strengthening
Which purpose has a secondary coating on the textiles?
- more even stress transfer within the fibre/the yarn (gluing together)
- improvement of durability (AR-glass, basalt)
- adjusting the handling properties
Question 15 Strengthening

List four possible materials of which textiles can consist to make sense as
reinforcement in concrete.
- AR-glass
- carbon
- basalt
- steel

Question 16 Strengthening
Which important point must be considered when glass is used as reinforcement in a
mineral matrix and how can it be achieved?
- glass fibres must be alkali-resistant
- achieved by zirconium-oxide layer (ZrO2)

Question 17 Strengthening
List four particular rules for design/calculation (in office) and application/execution
(on site) of TRC strengthenings!
- concrete cover min c = yarn diameter = 13 mm
- laminating in layers
- no walkable reinforcement bars ! need of timber planks or other material for
load distribution
- percentage of reinforcement only limited by economic aspects
(hand laminating or spraying methods here: limitation of spraying pressure!
otherwise
partial damage of fibres)
if concreting with self-compacting concrete: percentage of reinforcement (and
therefore
load bearing capacity) is limited
Question 18 Strengthening
Which methods of strengthening a concrete structure do you know?
- additional in-situ concrete (with/without reinforcement)

- shotcrete (with/without reinforcement)

- lamellas (steel or CFRP)
- near surface mounted (reinforcement bars or CFRP-lamellas glued in slots)
- textile reinforced concrete

Question 19 Strengthening
What special modes of failure exist for structures strengthened with CFRP-Lamellas?
Draw a sketch and label it!

2
3
4
a

4c 1

1. FRP rupture

4
b

2. concrete crushing
3. shear failure
4. bond failure
a) cover tension separation
b) interfacial debonding at laminates ends
c) intermediate interfacial debonding

Question 20 Strengthening
List four fields of application for TRC strengthenings!
- strengthening for bending (very effective, most commonly used)
- strengthening for normal forces (columns)
- shear strengthening
- torsion strengthening

Question 21 Strengthening
With which problems is the designer confronted when TRC should be used for
strengthening at present time?
- TRC not established by the building authorities
- no codes, standards or guidelines exist
- no approval by the building authorities exists
- additional efforts to get an approval on a case-by-case basis (single-caseapplication)

Question 22 Strengthening
Which methods for the preparation of the existing concrete surface do you know?
- chiselling
- high pressure cleaning and jetting with pressurised water
- blasting with hard abrasives (sandblasting)
- high pressure water-jetting
concrete milling (+1P)

Question 23 Strengthening
Which two methods of applying shotcrete do you know?
- wet method

- dry method

Question 24 Strengthening
State the necessary proofs for strengthening an RC T-beam!
- determination of reinforcement at the points of maximum bending moment
(recalculate the effective depth of cross section with chosen extra reinforcement
-> +1P)
- checking of minimum reinforcement
- checking of maximum reinforcement
- shear force design at the points of maximum shear force
- Bond proof for shear at the interface between old concrete and strengthening

Question 25 Strengthening
Which materials does TRC consist of?
- fine (grained) concrete matrix
- textile fabrics as reinforcement
secondary coating (+1P)

Question 26 Strengthening
Which purpose has a secondary coating on the textiles? Give two advantages in
which way it improves the properties!
- more even stress transfer within the fibre/the yarn (gluing together)
- improvement of durability (AR-glass, basalt)
adjusting the handling properties (+1P)

Question 27 Strengthening
According to the modes of failure which exist for structures strengthened with CFRP
the ability to bear the loads must be proved. Which proofs are therefore required in
the ULS?
- limitation of stress / strain in the FRP to avoid rupture
- limitation of stress / strain in the FRP to avoid debonding
(FRP can normally not be used to its fullest tensile strength)
- limitation of shear stress in the adhesive to avoid debonding
- ensuring yielding of internal steel to ensure ductility
(by limitation of the height of the cracks for bending)
Question 28 Strengthening
Which important point must be considered when glass is used as reinforcement in a
mineral matrix and how can it be achieved?
- glass fibres must be alkali-resistant
- achieved by zirconium-oxide layer (ZrO2)

Question 29 Strengthening
List four particular rules for design/calculation (in office) and application/execution
(on site) of TRC strengthenings!
- concrete cover min c = yarn diameter = 13 mm
- laminating in layers
- no walkable reinforcement bars ! need of timber planks or other material for
load distribution
- percentage of reinforcement only limited by economic aspects
(hand laminating or spraying methods here: limitation of spraying pressure!
otherwise
partial damage of fibres)
if concreting with self-compacting concrete: percentage of reinforcement (and
therefore
load bearing capacity) is limited
Question 30 Strengthening

With which problems is the designer confronted when TRC should be used for
strengthening at present time?
- TRC not established by the building authorities
- no codes, standards or guidelines exist
- no approval by the building authorities exists
- additional efforts to get an approval on a case-by-case basis (single-caseapplication)

Question 31 Strengthening
List four particular rules for detailing and execution of TRC strengthenings!
- concrete cover min c = yarn diameter = 13 mm
- laminating in layers
- no walkable reinforcement bars ! need of timber planks or other material for
load distribution
- percentage of reinforcement only limited by economic aspects
(hand laminating or spraying methods here: limitation of spraying pressure!
otherwise
partial damage of fibres)
if concreting with self-compacting concrete: percentage of reinforcement (and
therefore
load bearing capacity) is limited
Question 32 Strengthening
Which reasons can lead to the necessity of strengthening a structure?
- changes of use with increased loads
- changes of the static system (breakthroughs)
- extraordinary loads (fire, earthquake)
- corrosion or damages of the building materials
- design and execution errors
- extended life time

Question 33 Strengthening
Which kinds of fabric may be used in TRC? Sketch them. Please classify, whether
they are suitable or not. Please give the reason why.
1) woven fabric --> unsuitable, because of undulated warp yarns
2)

stitch bonded fabric --> suitable, because of straight warp yarns

3)

leno woven fabric--> suitable, because of straight reinforcing fibres

sketch 1)

sketch 2)

sketch 3)

Question 34 Strengthening
Which are the most important proofs for strengthening a concrete structure with
CFRP-Lamellas according to the new Guideline of the DAfStb?
- end anchorage: force in the lamella at last crack near the support
- intermediate crack element: change of the force in the lamella has to be
transmitted into the concrete via bond
Question 35 Strengthening
Which materials are used for TRC?
- fine (grained) concrete matrix
- textile fabrics as reinforcement
- secondary coating
Question 36 Strengthening
List three advantages of TRC strengthening for reinforced concrete and prestressed
concrete members. Sketch the crack distribution of a strengthened flexural RC
member.

- increase of load bearing capacity

- decrease of deflections
- improvement of crack distribution improved durability
RC normal cracks:
crack widths of 0.20.4 mm
TRC small cracks with small
distances
crack widths > 0.2 mm

increase of ductility (not in all cases, but especially for columns)