The study was presented by Zaid Azzam Naji and titled (Structural Performance of Strengthened Extended Concrete beams). The study investigated the behaviour of spanned beams after being strengthened differently and then analysed numerically using ABAQUS. The work involved bonding pre-molded concrete spams and strengthening the contact area. Strengthening methods included the use of near-surface mount (NSM) composites, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), larger diameter steel bars, and steel plates.
The results showed that using NSM techniques and the larger bar diameter improved stiffness by 120% compared to unreinforced span beams, and stiffness increased by 43% when using full carbon fiber wrapping compared to the control beam (CB). The use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer also improved the post-cracking performance of the specimens, resulting in a delay in crack initiation compared to non-reinforced beams.
The study recommended that using carbon fiber reinforcement (CFRP), steel plates, and the NSM method leads to a noticeable improvement in the performance of expanded and reinforced concrete beams.
The thesis was approved by the discussion committee with an excellent grade, which consisted of Professor Dr. Ali Hamid Nasser, University of Kerbala/College of Engineering (chairman), Assistant Professor Dr. Hussein Khalaf Jarallah, Al-Mustansiriya University/College of Engineering (member),
Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Ghanem Abbas, University of Kerbala/College of Engineering (member),
Professor Dr. Sajjad Amer Hamza, University of Kerbala/College of Engineering (member and supervisor),
And Assistant Professor Dr. Wajdi Shubar Sahib, University of Kerbala/College of Engineering, (member and supervisor).
