Effect of Using Fiber Reinforced Polymers on the Ductility of Retrofitted Reinforced Concrete Joint
Date
2018-01-24
Authors
أبو طحنات, يزن بسام
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
An-Najah National University
Abstract
Reinforced concrete (R.C) structures are common in Palestine. One considerable weakness in these structures is the connection between beams and columns. Several researchers showed that reinforced concrete joints suffer brittle failure due to combined effect of loading on the joints. Therefore, the ductility of the beam-column joints in reinforced concrete structures is an essential factor to prevent sudden failure of the joint. Different techniques were adapted by several researchers to increase the ductility and strength of beam-column joints including the use of high strength concrete, special stirrups and reinforcement configuration, steel plates and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP).
One way to improve the ductility of such joints is the use of sheet wraps of FRP. This research focuses on studying the effect of using FRP wraps on exterior RC beam-column joints. Finite Element (F.E.) analysis using commercial FE software (ABAQUS) is used to investigate the ductility behavior of RC joints strengthened by FRP. The model is validated using available published test data. This model is used to conduct a parametric study on the key factors that affect joints nonlinear behavior. Results are used to develop simple conceptual equations to predict the ductility of exterior beam-column joints as a function of the applied FRP. Such equations can be used as an initial conceptual design step for checking the adequacy of RC beam-column joints in seismic design of RC buildings.