Comparative experimental assessment of seismic rehabilitation with CFRP strips and sheets on RC frames

Abstract

The effectiveness of 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) strips and sheets for the repair of reinforced concrete members of RC frames, damaged because of cyclic loading. Two virgin, single - story, one - bay, 1/3 - scale frame specimens were tested under cyclic horizontal loading, up to a drift level of 4%. Then, virgin specimens, B and F, respectively, were repaired and retested in the same way. One, specimen RB, was repaired with epoxy injections and CFRP strips and one, specimen RF, was repaired with epoxy injections and CFRP sheets. The two specimens are used to examine the differences between the structural behavior of frames repaired using CFRP strips and frames repaired using CFRP sheets. Both qualitative and quantitative conclusions, based on the observed maximum loads, loading and reloading stiffness, hysteretic energy absorption and failure mechanisms are presented and compared. The repaired frames recovered their strength, stiffness and energy dissipated reasonably. The use of CFRP sheets was found more effective than CFRP strips, due to the proper anchorage.