The shear behaviors of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally strengthened with engineered cementitious composite (ECC) layers were studied and the strengthening effect was evaluated based on a truss and arch model. The beams were designed without web reinforcement in the middle part and ECC was sprayed onto both sides of the beams to the designed thicknesses, which were 20 mm and 40 mm. A series of four-point bending experiments were conducted and analyzed. The development of the shear strain in each side of the beams was recorded by strain rosettes formed with three fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The thickness of ECC layers, reinforcement ratios, and shear span-to-depth ratios were considered and analyzed. This is an effective way to shear strengthen RC beams with ECC layers. The ultimate load of the strengthened specimen can be improved by 89% over the control specimen. Strengthening an RC beam into an under-reinforced beam should be avoided. The FBG sensors are suitable to measure and monitor the development of shear strain in the side of the strengthened specimen. Based on the truss and arch model, an evaluation of the shear strengthening effect was established and the results agree well with the experimental results.
Keywords: ECC; FBG sensor; shear; strengthening effect; truss and arch model.