المستخلص
The topic of the current thesis deals with studying the properties of reinforced concrete beams through the use of alternatives to reinforcing steel, which is considered heavy in weight, high cost, and weak resistance to corrosion. An alternative material was used for part of the reinforcing steel with certain proportions, which is jute ropes. After designing the beam and distributing the rebar used with a diameter of (12 mm), one steel bar from the bottom layer was replaced with 3 jute ropes and a jute rope with a larger diameter. In addition to these variables, variables were made on jute ropes by using them untreated and treated , due to their vulnerability to moisture and to improve their tensile strength properties. Epoxy and geopolymer treatment was used that increases the resistance of the ropes to moisture and also increases the bonding resistance between the ropes and concrete. The varying changes in the flexural resistance of beams were studied. As for the shear test, the stirrups were replaced and jute ropes treated with epoxy and geopolymer material were used instead, where the ropes were wrapped in a right shape at an angle of 90 degrees and twisted in a zigzag manner (Lacing) between one ring and another, and after conducting testing of these beams, all the changes that occurred to them were studied.
It was found that the beams that were reinforced with 3 jute ropes (untreated , treated with epoxy and treated with geopolymer ) had a decrease in resistance by (26.96%, 24.3%, and 21.65%) respectively compared to the reference beam.
As for the beams that were reinforced with jute rope of a larger diameter (untreated, treated with epoxy and treated with geopolymer), the resistance decreased by (23.77%, 17.92% and 15.4%), respectively compared to the reference beam.
Testing of the tensile strength of the ropes (untreated and treated) and the results showed that the treatment of the ropes with epoxy and geopolymer led to an increase in their tensile strength and improvement of their properties.
As for testing the shear resistance of the beams, the results showed that the reinforced beams using the traditional method and after taking the average readings, the resistance decreased by 2.26% compared to the reference beam. For the reinforced beams at an inclination of 45 degrees, it increased the resistance by 8.1% compared to the reference beam. And the reinforced beams by wrapping the rope along the beam, it increased the resistance by 6.2% compared to the reference beam.
On the other hand, the use of jute ropes reduced creep during the first stages of loading and increased ductility during the time of failure compared to reference beams.
