Seismic Behavior of As-Built, ACI-Complying, and CFRP-Repaired Exterior RC Beam-Column Joints

In this paper, the efficiency and effectiveness of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets for upgrading the shear strength and ductility of a seismically deficient exterior beam-column joint were studied and compared with an American Concrete Institute (ACI)-based design joint specimen. One as-built joint specimen, representing the preseismic code design and construction practice for joints and one ACI-based design joint specimen, satisfying the seismic design requirements of the current code of practice were cast. The as-built specimen was used as baseline (control) specimen. These two specimens (i.e., the as-built control and the ACI-based specimens) were subjected to cyclic lateral load histories to induce damage equivalent to damage expected from a severe earthquake. The damaged control specimen was then repaired by filling its cracks with epoxy and externally bonding CFRP sheets to the joint, the beam, and part of the column regions. This specimen was identified as the repaired specimen. The repaired specimen was subjected to a similar cyclic lateral load history, and its response history was recorded. The response histories of the as-built control, the repaired, and the ACI-based design specimen were then compared. The test results demonstrated that externally bonded CFRP sheets can effectively improve both the shear strength and the deformation capacity of seismically deficient and damaged beam-column joints to a state comparable to the ACI-based design joint.