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.     

Seismic Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Frame Interior Beam-Column Joints with FRP Composites

An experimental research program is described regarding the use of externally applied carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) jackets for seismic rehabilitation of reinforced concrete interior beam-column joints, which were designed for gravity loads. The joints had steel reinforcement details that are known to be inadequate by current seismic codes in terms of joint shear capacity due to the absence of transverse steel hoops and bond capacity of beam bottom steel reinforcing bars at the joint. Lap splicing of beam bottom steel reinforcement at the joint using externally applied longitudinal CFRP composite laminates is investigated. Improvement of joint shear capacity using diagonal CFRP composite laminates is another strengthening scheme employed. Concrete crack widths for the as-built specimens and the extent of CFRP delamination for the rehabilitated specimens at various drift ratios are reported. The test results indicate that CFRP jackets are an effective rehabilitation measure for improving the seismic performance of existing beam-column joints with inadequate seismic details in terms of increased joint shear strength and inelastic rotation capacity. In addition, CFRP laminates are effective rehabilitation measures for overcoming problems associated with beam bottom steel bars that have inadequate embedment into the beam-column joints.     

Impact Response of Externally Strengthened Unreinforced Masonry Walls Using CFRP

Research reported herein investigates the out-of-plane impact resistance of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites, externally applied in sheets to one face of the wall. Two analytical methods based on energy principle and wave propagation theory and a finite-element-based numerical model have been developed, assuming a perfect bond at composite–masonry interface with an equivalent stiffness of the system. Full-scale impact tests are conducted for verification purpose, where three 1.2?m tall URM concrete walls (one unstrengthened and two strengthened with continuous unidirectional and woven CFRP sheets) are vertically tested up to cracking using a pendulum drop-weight impact tester. The test results compare reasonably well with those obtained from the analyses and simulation. It is found that the energy and finite-element methods can provide reasonable estimates for peak impact force and wall deflection, whereas the wave propagation method is rather limited by its applicability. Parametric studies are conducted to examine the effect of impactor mass, velocity, amount of CFRP reinforcement, and property of masonry material using the developed models.     

Shear Strengthening of T Cross Section Reinforced Concrete Beams by Near-Surface Mounted Technique

With the purpose of evaluating the influence of both the percentage and inclination of the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates on the effectiveness of the near-surface mounted technique for the shear strengthening of reinforced concrete T beams, an experimental program was carried out, using three percentages of laminates and, for each one, three inclinations: 90, 60, and 45°. The CFRP-strengthened beams had a steel stirrup reinforcement ratio (ρsw) of 0.1%. The highest CFRP percentage was designed to provide a maximum load similar to the one of a reference beam reinforced with ρsw equal to 0.24%. Although these beams have had a similar maximum load, the beams with CFRP presented higher stiffness. Laminates at 60° was the most effective shear strengthening configuration, having provided a maximum increase in the load capacity of 33%. The contribution of the CFRP strengthening systems was limited by the concrete tensile strength. Below certain spacing between laminates, a group effect occurs due to the interference between consecutive concrete failure surfaces, leading to the detachment of “two lateral walls” from the underlying beam core.     

Unreinforced Concrete Masonry Walls Strengthened with CFRP Sheets and Strips under Pendulum Impact

Impact tests using drop-weight pendulum on nine 1.2-m-high full-scale concrete masonry block walls were conducted to investigate the out-of-plane impact behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls externally strengthened with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. Three strengthening schemes on one side of the wall were studied: continuous unidirectional and continuous woven sheets, discrete strips in a vertical pattern, and discrete strips in orthogonal and diagonal patterns. All walls were vertically positioned resting on a knife-edge support with one face leaning against two steel rollers close to the upper and lower edges of the wall. The impact load was applied at the wall center through a drop-weight pendulum impact tester with various drop heights. Test results revealed that using composite laminates or strips could significantly improve the impact performance of URM walls. The wall strengthened with continuous woven sheets performed better than the one with unidirectional sheet. With the same amount of fiber-reinforced polymer strip material, the wall with narrower but more closely spaced strips performed slightly better than the one with wider strips.     

Comparison of CFRP and Alternative Seismic Retrofitting Techniques for Bare and Infilled RC Frames

The opportunities provided by the use of modern repair schemes for the seismic retrofit of existing RC structures were assessed on a comparative experimental study of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and more-conventional seismic retrofitting techniques for the repair of reinforced concrete members and masonry walls of bare and infilled RC frames, respectively, damaged because of cyclic loading. Four 1-story, one-bay, one-third-scale frame specimens are tested under cyclic horizontal loading up to a drift level of 4%—two bare frames with spirals or stirrups as shear reinforcement, respectively, and two infilled frames with weak infills and spirals or stirrups as shear reinforcement, respectively. The applied repair techniques are mainly based on the use of thin epoxy resin infused under pressure into the crack system of the damaged RC joint bodies or on the additional use of CFRP plates to the surfaces of the damaged structural RC members as external reinforcement and the use of a polymer modified cement mortar or two-sided diagonal CFRP fabrics for the damaged infill masonry walls. After repair, specimens were retested in the same way. Conclusions concerning the comparison of the effectiveness between conventional and CFRP seismic retrofitting applied techniques on the basis of maximum cycles load, loading stiffness, and hysteretic energy absorption capabilities of the tested specimens are drawn.     

Shear Strengthening Masonry Panels with Sheet Glass-Fiber Reinforced Polymer

This paper investigates strengthening masonry walls using glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets. An experimental research program was undertaken. Both clay and concrete brick specimens were tested, with and without GFRP strengthening. Single-sided strengthening was considered, as it is often not practicable to apply the reinforcement to both sides of a wall. Static tests were carried out on six masonry panels, under a combination of vertical preload, and in-plane horizontal shear loading. The mechanisms by which load was carried were observed, varying from the initial, uncracked state, to the final, fully cracked state. The results demonstrate that a significant increase of the in-plane shear capacity of masonry can be achieved by bonding GFRP sheets to the surface of masonry walls. The experimental data were used to assess the effectiveness of the GFRP strengthening, and suggestions are made to allow the test results to be used in the design of sheet GFRP strengthening for masonry structures.     

Behavior of Composite Unreinforced Masonry–Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Wall Assemblages Under In-Plane Loading

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the in-plane behavior of face shell mortar bedded unreinforced masonry (URM) wall assemblages retrofitted with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates. Forty-two URM assemblages were tested under different stress conditions present in masonry shear and infill walls. Tests included prisms loaded in compression with different bed joint orientation (on/off-axis compression), diagonal tension specimens, and specimens loaded under joint shear. The behavior of each specimen type is discussed with emphasis on modes of failure, strength and deformation characteristics. Results showed that the application of FRP laminates on URM has a great influence on strength, postpeak behavior, as well as altering failure modes and maintaining the specimen integrity. The retrofitted specimens reached compressive strength of 1.62–5.64 times that of their unretrofitted counterparts, depending on the bed joint orientation, and joint shear strength increased by eightfold.     

Analytical Investigation of Lateral Strength of Masonry Infilled RC Frames Retrofitted with CFRP

In this study, two reinforced concrete frames with hollow clay tile masonry infill walls, retrofitted with diagonally applied carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), which were tested previously, were analytically investigated. A simple material model for the masonry infill wall strengthened with CFRP is suggested. The lateral strength of each rehabilitated frame was obtained by pushover analysis of four different models using a commercially available finite-element program, and the results were compared with the test results. We also determined the lateral strength of the CFRP-applied masonry infill walls, and compared the results with the results obtained from existing analytical models. Drift capacity of the masonry infill walls strengthened with CFRP was also investigated, and the drift capacity of the masonry infill walls strengthened with diagonally applied CFRP was recommended. It is concluded that the strength of the masonry infilled frames strengthened with diagonally applied CFRP can be satisfactorily predicted with the suggested procedure. The ultimate drift capacity of the masonry infill walls strengthened with diagonally applied CFRP strips was conservatively predicted to be 1.0%.     

Experimental Response of Externally Retrofitted Masonry Walls Subjected to Shear Loading

Recent earthquakes have produced extensive damage in a large number of existing masonry buildings, demonstrating the need for retrofitting masonry structures. Externally bonded carbon fiber is a retrofitting technique that has been used to increase the strength of reinforced concrete elements. Sixteen full-scale shear dominant clay brick masonry walls, six with wire-steel shear reinforcement, were retrofitted with two configurations of externally bonded carbon fiber strips and subjected to shear loading. The results of the experimental program showed that the strength of the walls could be increased 13–84%, whereas, their displacement capacity increased 51–146%. This paper presents an analysis of the experimental results and simple equations to estimate the cracking load and the maximum shear strength of clay brick masonry walls, retrofitted with carbon fiber.     

In-Plane Shear Behavior of Masonry Panels Strengthened with NSM CFRP Strips. I: Experimental Investigation

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the in-plane shear behavior of masonry panels strengthened with near-surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer strips (CFRP). As part of the study four unreinforced masonry panels and seven strengthened panels were tested in diagonal tension/shear. Different reinforcement orientations were used including vertical, horizontal, and a combination of both. The effect of nonsymmetric reinforcement was also studied. The results of these tests are presented in this paper, and include the load-displacement behaviors, crack patterns, failure modes, and FRP strains. The results showed that the vertically aligned reinforcement was the most effective, with significant increases in strength and ductility observed. The dowel strength of the vertical reinforcement did not likely contribute significantly to the shear resistance of the masonry. Instead, it was likely that the vertical reinforcement acted in tension to restrain shear induced dilation and restrain sliding. In some panels cracking adjacent to the FRP strip, through the panel thickness was observed. This type of cracking reduced the bond between one side of the FRP strip and the masonry, and led to premature debonding. A comparison of the test results with the results of other tests from the literature is also presented in this paper.     

Masonry Wall Crack Control with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Restrained shrinkage is a major source of damage to buildings. By the combination of different construction materials, or through different conditions of exposure of different structural elements, differential dimensional change occurs. Thereby, stresses arise, which can cause cracking. In recent combined experimental and numerical research projects, this source of damage to masonry walls has been confirmed. The ability has been developed to predict the level of damage computationally. This paper addresses a method to reduce the width of cracks in masonry walls subjected to restrained shrinkage, to acceptable levels. Crack control by externally applied carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement is studied. Although structural strengthening by CFRP reinforcement is actively researched, its application here to preserve structural serviceability is novel. An experiment was designed and performed to study the response of an unreinforced masonry wall to restrained shrinkage. Subsequently, the wall was repaired and reinforced on one face with CFRP strips. The required CFRP reinforcement was designed by finite element analysis, which also served as prediction of the response of the reinforced wall to restrained shrinkage.     

Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates

Shear failure is catastrophic and occurs usually without advance warning; thus it is desirable that the beam fails in flexure rather than in shear. Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) members are found to be deficient in shear strength and need to be repaired. Externally bonded reinforcement such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) provides an excellent solution in these situations. To investigate the shear behavior of RC beams with externally bonded CFRP shear reinforcement, 11 RC beams without steel shear reinforcement were cast at the concrete laboratory of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. After the beams were kept in the curing room for 28?days, carbon-fiber strips and fabrics made by Sika Corp. were applied on both sides of the beams at various orientations with respect to the axis of the beam. All beams were tested on a 979?kN (220?kips) MTS testing machine. Results of the test demonstrate the feasibility of using an externally applied, epoxy-bonded CFRP system to restore or increase the shear capacity of RC beams. The CFRP system can significantly increase the serviceability, ductility, and ultimate shear strength of a concrete beam; thus, restoring beam shear strength by using CFRP is a highly effective technique. An analysis and design method for shear strengthening of externally bonded CFRP has been proposed.     

Bond Behavior of Near-Surface Mounted FRP Strips Bonded to Modern Clay Brick Masonry Prisms: Influence of Strip Orientation and Compression Perpendicular to the Strip

In this paper the results of 18 pull tests performed on clay brick masonry prisms strengthened with near-surface mounted carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips are presented. The pull tests were designed to add to the existing database and investigate variables significant to masonry construction. FRP was bonded to solid clay brick masonry; FRP aligned both perpendicular and parallel to the bed joint; and in the case of FRP reinforcement aligned parallel to the bed joint, compression applied perpendicular to the strip was used to simulate vertical compression load in masonry walls. Results including bond strength, critical bond length, and the local bond-slip relationship are presented as well as a discussion on the effect of the new variables on these results.     

Seismic Response of FRP-Upgraded Exterior RC Beam-Column Joints

Shear failure of exterior beam-column joints is identified as the principal cause of collapse of many moment-resisting frame buildings during recent earthquakes. Effective and economical strengthening techniques to upgrade joint shear resistance and ductility in existing structures are needed. In this paper, efficiency and effectiveness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in upgrading the shear strength and ductility of seismically deficient exterior beam-column joints have been studied. Four as-built joints were constructed with nonoptimal design parameters (inadequate joint shear strength with no transverse reinforcement) representing preseismic code design construction practice of joints and encompassing most of existing beam-column connections. Out of these four as-built specimens, two specimens were used as baseline specimens (control specimens) and other two were strengthened with CFRP sheets under two different schemes (strengthened specimens). In the first scheme, CFRP sheets were epoxy bonded to joint, beams, and part of the column regions. In the second scheme, however, sheets were epoxy bonded to joint region only but they were effectively prevented against any possible debonding through mechanical anchorages. All of these four subassemblages were subjected to cyclic lateral load histories so as to provide the equivalent of severe earthquake damage. The damaged control specimens were then repaired by filling their cracks through epoxy and externally bonding them with CFRP sheets under the same above two schemes. These repaired specimens were subjected to the similar cyclic lateral load history and their response histories were obtained. Response histories of control, repaired, and strengthened specimens were then compared. The results were compared through hysteretic loops, load-displacement envelopes, column profiles, joint shear distortion, ductility, and stiffness degradation. The comparison shows that CFRP sheets are very effective in improving shear resistance and deformation capacity of the exterior beam-column joints and delaying their stiffness degradation.     

Cyclic Flexure Tests of Masonry Walls Reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Sheets

The research work reported here investigates the out-of-plane flexural behavior of masonry walls reinforced externally with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets and subjected to cyclic loading. A full-scale test program consisting of eight wall specimens was conducted. Nine tests were performed, in which three parameters were studied. These included the level of compressive axial load, amount of internal steel reinforcement, and amount of externally bonded GFRP sheet reinforcement. Of the three parameters studied, varying the amount of GFRP sheets was the only parameter that significantly affected the behavior of the walls. The GFRP sheet reinforcement governed the linear response of the bending moment versus centerline deflection hysteresis. Increasing or decreasing the amount of GFRP sheet reinforcement either increased or decreased both the wall stiffness and the ultimate strength, respectively. Except for visible cracks, the walls maintained their structural integrity throughout the out-of-plane cyclic loading. The unloading/reloading paths for successive loading cycles were similar, indicating little degradation. Thus, the general behavior of the walls was very predictable. The system, therefore, could be used to advantageously rehabilitate older masonry structures that are inadequately reinforced to withstand seismic events. A simple model of the behavior is also presented to allow for the evaluation of the strength and deformation characteristics of these elements.     

Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Laminates

For reinforced concrete beams with the same shear and flexural reinforcements, shear failure is most likely to occur in deep beams rather than in regular beams. Thus, retrofitting of deep beams with shear deficiencies is of great importance. Externally bonded reinforcement such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) provides an excellent solution in these situations. In order to investigate the shear behavior of deep beams with externally bonded CFRP shear reinforcement, 16 deep beams without steel shear reinforcement were cast at the concrete laboratory of New Jersey Institute of Technology. After the beams were kept in the curing room for 28 days, carbon fiber strips and fabrics were applied outside of the beams at various orientations with respect to the axis of the beam. All beams were tested on a 979?kN (220?kip) MTS testing machine. Results of test demonstrate the feasibility of using externally applied, epoxy-bonded CFRP system to restore or increase the shear capacity of deep beams. The CFRP system can significantly increase the serviceability, ductility, and ultimate shear strength of a concrete beam, thus restoring deep beam shear strength using CFRP is a highly effective technique. An analysis and design method for shear strengthening of deep beams using externally bonded CFRP has also been proposed as well.     

Out-of-Plane Strengthening of Masonry Walls with Reinforced Composites

This paper presents an investigation into the effectiveness of using fiber-reinforced composite overlays to strengthen existing unreinforced masonry walls to resist out-of-plane static loads. A total of fifteen wall panels [1,200 × 1,800 × 200 mm (4 ft × 6 ft × 8 in.)] were tested. Twelve panels were assembled with fiber-reinforcing systems attached to the tension side, and the remaining three control walls were left without any external reinforcement. Two configurations of external reinforcement were evaluated. The first reinforcement configuration consisted of two layers of fiber-reinforced plastic webbing and the second consisted of vertical and horizontal bands of undirectional fiber composites. The three wall specimens without external reinforcement were tested to evaluate the change in the system strength and behavior with application of the external reinforcing systems. In addition to the two fiber configurations, the testing program also evaluated two methods of surface preparation of the walls, sand blasting, and wire brush. All specimens were thoroughly washed by water jet, 48 hours prior to application of the fiber-reinforcing systems. Three specimens were tested for each variable. A uniformly distributed lateral load was applied to each panel using the procedures described in the ASTM Standard E-72 Test Method (airbag). Failure loads, strains in the external reinforcement (FRP), out-of-plane deformations, and failure modes were recorded. Recommendations on the usefulness of the proposed technique as a means of strengthening masonry walls for out-of-plane loads are presented. In general, flexural strength of masonry walls can be increased if the shear failure is controlled.     

Seismic Response of Interior RC Beam-Column Joints Upgraded with FRP Sheets. I: Experimental Study

In this paper, efficiency and effectiveness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) in upgrading the shear strength and ductility of seismically deficient beam-column joints have been studied. For this purpose, four reinforced concrete interior beam-column sub-assemblages were constructed with nonoptimal design parameters (inadequate joint shear strength with no transverse reinforcement) representing preseismic code design construction practice of joints and encompassing the vast majority of existing beam-column connections. Out of these four, two specimens were used as baseline specimens (control specimens) and the other two were strengthened with CFRP sheets under two different schemes (strengthened specimens). In the first scheme, CFRP sheets were epoxy bonded to the joint, beams, and part of the column regions. In the second scheme, however, sheets were epoxy bonded to the joint region only but they were effectively prevented against any possible debonding through mechanical anchorages. All four subassemblages were subjected to cyclic lateral load histories so as to provide the equivalent of severe earthquake damage. Further, the damaged control specimens were repaired after filling the cracks through epoxy and wrapping them with CFRP sheets under the same two above-mentioned schemes. These repaired specimens were subjected to the similar cyclic lateral load history and their response histories were obtained. Hence, a total of six specimens were tested: two control; two strengthened; and two repaired. Response histories of control, repaired, and strengthened specimens were then compared. The results were compared through hysteretic loops, load-displacement envelopes, column profiles (maximum horizontal displacements of column along its height), joint shear distortion, ductility, and stiffness degradation. The comparison shows that CFRP sheets improve the shear resistance of the joint and increase its ductility. Results of two chosen schemes of strengthening were also compared and the importance of beam upgrading was highlighted.     

In-Plane Shear Behavior of Masonry Panels Strengthened with NSM CFRP Strips. II: Finite-Element Model

A combined experimental and numerical program was conducted to study the in-plane shear behavior of clay brick masonry walls strengthened with near surface mounting carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. This paper is focused on the numerical program. A two-dimensional finite-element (FE) model was used to simulate the behavior of FRP-strengthened wall tests. The masonry was modeled using the micromodeling approach. The FRP was attached to the masonry mesh using the shear bond-slip relationships determined from experimental pull tests. The model was designed in a way so that FRP crossing a sliding crack (perpendicularly) would prevent crack opening, normal to the direction of sliding (dilation), and increase sliding resistance. This sliding resisting mechanism was observed in the experimental tests. The FE model reproduced the key behaviors observed in the experiments, including the load-displacement response, crack development, and FRP reinforcement contribution. The FE model did not include masonry cracking adjacent to the FRP and through the wall thickness (as observed in some experiments). This type of cracking resulted in premature FRP debonding in the experiments. Debonding did not occur in the FE model because this type of masonry cracking was not modeled.