AFRP retrofit of reinforced concrete columns against impact loading

Abstract

Structures can be exposed to impact loads as a result of an explosion, falling objects, projectiles and vehicle collisions. Within the increasing threat of these impact sources, it is very important to protect the columns that are the vital members of the structural systems to ensure structural and personal safety. This study focuses on the performance of axially loaded reinforced concrete members subjected to impact loading. A dropped-weight test set-up developed to perform impact tests on reinforced concrete members. The test set-up was used to perform low elevation impact tests on reinforced concrete (RC) columns that targets to simulate vehicular impact against ground floor columns of low-rise buildings. Since, there is limited information about the transverse impact performances of RC columns; the main objective of this research is to assess the vulnerability of RC columns under transverse impact loads and to enhance their performances by using Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP) sheets. The scope is limited to 300 mm square columns with 3 m height in low to medium rise buildings which were found to be more vulnerable to lateral impacts according to previous research conducted by the authors, (Gurbuz et al. 2010, 2011). This research provides fundamental knowledge on the behavior of RC columns under low elevation impact loading and also generates new information on impact strengthening of vulnerable concrete columns by AFRP sheets.