International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Title: Flexural Behavior of Concrete Columns Retrofitted with Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Jackets

Author(s): Richard Sause, Kent A. Harries, Stephanie L. Walkup, Stephen Pessiki, and James M. Ricles

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 101

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 708-716

Keywords: concrete; confinement; fibers; jackets; reinforced concrete; retrofit

Date: 9/1/2004

Abstract:
A significant deficiency in many existing nonductile reinforced concrete frames is the inability of the columns to undergo significant deformations while maintaining their load-carrying capacity. As a result, relatively brittle modes of column failure, accompanied by soft story structural failure mechanisms, are possible. Providing additional confinement to the columns allows them to behave in a more ductile manner. The study reported herein investigates the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite jackets as a method of retrofitting existing nonductile reinforced concrete building columns. A method of designing fiber-reinforced polymer composite jackets for columns to achieve the desired flexural behavior is presented and verified through a full-scale experimental study.