Performance enhancement of square reinforced concrete column carrying axial compression by (1) C-FRP wrapping, and (2) steel angle system under air-blast loading

Abstract

The present study focuses on how best can we enhance the blast resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns of an existing building. For this purpose, an RC column, 300 mm × 300 mm × 3000 mm, carrying an axial compression of 950 kN subjected to the 82 kg-TNT explosive loading is first analysed using the ABAQUS software. Strain rate effect on the concrete strength is considering using concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model. With the objective to improve the column response, (1) CFRP wrappings over the (i) seismic confining regions, (ii) seismic and mid-height regions, and (iii) entire length, and (2) jacketing with steel angles at the corners throughout the column length and connected with battens on the wrappings are considered. Results in terms of displacement, damage, and stresses are compared and discussed.