Rehabilitation and strengthening techniques for reinforced concrete columns: review

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns are the primary load-bearing structural components in the building which makes them most likely vulnerable to deterioration. Capacity deterioration of RC columns may result from dynamic loads, impact loads, poor maintenance, creep, non-standard design, corrosion of steel reinforcement and incorrect quality control. Therefore, RC columns should be always monitored for signs of deterioration. Rehabilitation and strengthening of existing reinforced concrete facilities have become an essential part of the construction work. This study aims to review and evaluate methods of strengthening RC columns. Steel jacketing, concrete jacketing, ferrocement jacketing, CFRP jacketing and GFRP jacketing are the most common techniques which have been used for rehabilitation of RC columns. Each method of strengthening is reviewed with emphasis on its performance, advantages, disadvantages, application details, and factors that influence the design and scope of applicability.