The experimental research of the reinforced concrete retaining walls
Retaining walls are one of the most common hydraulic structures. Most reinforced concrete retaining walls have been in operation for a long time. For various reasons (including due to the incomplete consideration of all the features of such structures during their design, construction and operation), in some cases their strengthening was required. One of the ways to strengthen retaining walls is the device of anchor rods that hold the top of the walls from displacement in the direction from the soil backfill. In recent years, a method has been found to strengthen reinforced concrete structures for various purposes by additional external reinforcement using carbon fiber composite materials. Taking into account the characteristic features of massive hydraulic engineering reinforced concrete, a reinforced concrete model of a corner-type retaining wall was made, reinforced with anchor rod and carbon tape. In this case, the reinforcing element, a carbon tape, was glued vertically on the front face of the model. To monitor the state of the reinforced concrete model during the experiments, control and measuring equipment was installed. Experimental studies were carried out on a specially equipped power stand. As a result of the tests, the displacement of the top of the model, the opening width of the horizontal interblock seams and inclined cracks that emerged from the seams, the force in the anchor rod, and the fracture load of the model were determined. When analyzing the results obtained, an increase in the strength of the reinforced concrete model reinforced with a carbon composite tape was determined. Thus, a 1.27-fold increase in the strength of the reinforced concrete model of the retaining wall due to the use of a carbon composite tape was obtained.