STRENGTHENING EXPOSED R/C COLUMNS IN HIGH SEISMICITY ZONES

This paper investigates the beneficial effects of spirally confined concrete cylinders using fiber glass filaments under uniaxial compression. The confined concrete exhibits very high strength and ductility, which are comparable to concrete behavior being confined with steel spirals, hoops, or tube. Based on the results of present study and previous findings of the author, it is recom-mended to wrap high strength fiber materials around exposed reinforced concrete columns to effectively develop external confinement. This strengthening method can improve axial, bending, and lateral strengths, and ductility of columns of structures which are located in areas with severe seismic activities. Also, recommendations on methods for conducting experimental research on members with realistic sizes to back up the idea are presented