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.