Fiber-section modeling of as-built and CFRP retrofitted RC beam-column connections

Improving the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column connections using externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) has been extensively confirmed through experimental studies. Concurrently, finite element (FE) analysis has also been deployed as a cost-effective tool to estimate the experimental results and to further investigate the parameters which are beyond the scope and capacity of experimental tests. However, accurate prediction of the behavior of beam-column connections after yielding of longitudinal reinforcement can be underlined as a common deficiency in most of the developed FE models, particularly under cyclic loading. Consequently, the current study was aimed at developing a distinctive fiber section (FS) model capable of estimating both the strength and displacement of the un-retrofitted and FRP retrofitted RC beam-column connections up to the failure points. The accuracy of the analysis results was verified against a series of experimental results conducted under both monotonic and cyclic loadings. The rehabilitation scheme involved installing carbon-FRP (CFRP) on the top and bottom sides of the beam aimed at increasing the flexural capacity of connection and relocating the plastic hinge away from the beam-joint interface further into the beam.

کلیدواژه ها:

RC beam-column connection ، CFRP ، Flexural strengthening ، Fiber-section analysis ، Cyclic loading