Enhancement of Reinforced Concrete Beam Capacity by Adding Cold-Formed Steel as Tensile Reinforcement

The utilization of cold-formed steel (CFS) as additional tensile reinforcement in coastal structure elements prone to higher corrosion risks presents the central concept of this research. It is widely recognized that CFS is equipped with a corrosion-resistant layer (zinc alloy) and boasts a higher yield strength compared to conventional bar reinforcement. Furthermore, by incorporating CFS as a composite material within reinforced concrete beams, the aim is to enhance flexural capacity without necessitating an increase in beam dimensions. Four reinforced concrete beams were constructed, with two serving as control beams and the other two incorporating CFS in varying cross-sectional configurations. The methodology involved experimental testing in a laboratory setting, with results subsequently compared to theoretical analyses. The findings of this study reveal that the addition of CFS as tensile reinforcement effectively elevates flexural capacity and augments beam stiffness.