AN Experimental Study on Strengthening of R.C Flat Slab Edge Column Connections Subjected to Punching Shear Due to Eccentric Loads Using FRP

Abstract

During the last few years, the need to flat slab systems has rapidly increased.The slab column connections behavior plays decisive role because of the suddenexpected brittle failure as the slab may be punched by column, so improving thebehavior of these connections is essential. Flat slab column connections can benefitfrom being strengthened by fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) as a structural applicationin punching shear [1]. The effect of using carbon fiber (CFRP) and glass fiber (GFRP)was investigated experimentally, also steel reinforcement bars were utilized asstrengthening element for comparison. Results of tested fifteen half-scale flat slab-edgecolumn connections reinforced concrete specimens under eccentric loads wereobtained. The investigated parameters were the eccentricity value, the type ofstrengthening material and the number of rows of strengthening elements. Five groupswere created from the fifteen tested specimens, every one contained three specimens.The first group consisted of three non-strengthening specimens, with variableeccentricity values (0, e & 2e), these specimens were considered as control ones. Eachof the other four groups consisted of three specimens, which were strengthened byCFRP, GFRP and steel bars. All the specimens of the second and fourth groups werestrengthened by one row of strengthening elements. All the specimens of the third and