Shear Strengthening of Interior Slab–Column Connections Using Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sheets

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation undertaken to evaluate the punching shear capacity of interior slab–column connections, strengthened using flexible carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. Sixteen square (670×670?mm) slab–column connections with different slab thicknesses (55 and 75 mm) and reinforcement ratios (1 and 1.5%) were tested. Twelve specimens were strengthened using CFRP sheets and the remaining four specimens were kept as controls. Without strengthening, all specimens were designed to experience punching shear failure. The CFRP sheets were bonded to the tension face of the specimens in two perpendicular directions parallel to the internal ordinary steel reinforcement. The test results clearly demonstrate that using CFRP leads to significant improvements in the flexural stiffness, flexural strength, and shear capacity of beam–column connections. Depending on the content of the ordinary reinforcement, thickness of the slab, and area of CFRP sheet, the flexural strength increased between 26 and 73% and the shear capacity increased between 17 and 45%. The measured stress in the CFRP sheets at nominal strength varied between 22 and 69% of the ultimate tensile strength of the fibers. Comparison with available prediction equations showed that the punching shear capacity can be predicted with reasonable accuracy if the contribution of CFRP reinforcement to the increase in flexural strength is accounted for. On the other hand, the code design expressions were conservative in predicting the capacity observed in the tests.