Strengthening reinforced concrete slab-column connection using CFRP sheets

Abstract EN

Due to the high cost of new construction and the increasing inventory of otherwise adequate structure, the need for repair or strengthening of reinforced-concrete structures is growing significantly worldwide.

Fiber reinforced polymer technology has emerged during the past decade as a particular tool to upgrade existing structures.

These materials are an excellent option for use as external reinforced because of their light weight, resistance to corrosion, and high strength this paper introduced a strengthens technique for slab–column connections were fabricated and then tested under increasing gravity loading up-to-complete-collapse to investigate the effectiveness of using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in enhancing their flexural capacity.

The tested specimens consisted of two group.

The first group provided control specimen, on which three specimen had central column, eccentric column, and edge column, respectively.

The second group was similar to the first group but with CFRP sheets installed around the columns on the tension side of the slab.

Results from testing showed that the ultimate load carrying capacity increased by 32, 38 and 65 % for the tested specimens with central column, eccentric column and edge column, respectively, when strengthened using CFRP sheets.