A STUDY ON FLEXURAL REINFORCEMENT WITH STEEL CHANNEL ATTACHED TO ONE SIDE OF UNREINFORCED CONCRETE FOUNDATION BEAM

The general method for strengthening unreinforced concrete foundation beams of wooden houses against earthquakes is to arrange reinforcing bars and to cast concrete along the existing foundation beam. The construction cost of this method accounts for major percentage of the total construction cost for strengthening. A new method for flexural reinforcement with steel channel attached to one side of unreinforced concrete foundation beams was developed, which can reduce the cost. Bending moment tests were carried out to check the structural performance. A formula to predict the flexural capacity was obtained as a result of experimental and analytical studies.