Abstract: “The paper introduces the experimental program of investigation on the performance of RC beams strengthened with Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric. A research program aims at developing 3D UHMWPE textile fabric to improve the structural performance of RC members. A total of six of specimens is constructed and experimentally investigated through static tests in order to assess the structural behavior of the RC beams strengthened by 3D UHMWPE textile fabric. The first set of specimens was a normal beam without any retrofit. The second set of specimens was strengthened by 3D UHMWPE textile fabric. Testing data were analyzed to investigate the performance of the specimens retrofitted or strengthened with UHMWPE fiber compared to the non-retrofitted RC beam responses.”

Keywords: UHMWPE, Textile fabric, Retrofit, RC Beam