An experimental study on Kevlar strengthening of beam-column connections

Abstract This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation pertaining to the use of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) fabrics for strengthening of beam–column connections. Experimental studies were performed specifically for evaluating the moment capacity of the beam–column connections wrapped with Kevlar fiber composite fabric. Scaled down exterior beam–column connections were tested to examine the effect of various thickness and configurations of FRP fabrics applied to these connections. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvement of flexural capacity of beam column connections and provide certain guidelines for the proper FRP fabric thickness.

[1]  Hamid Saadatmanesh,et al.  Bond Behavior of Deformed GFRP Rebars , 1997 .

[2]  P. Gould,et al.  BEHAVIOR OF CONFINED CONCRETE UNDER CYCLIC LOADING , 1998 .

[3]  D. Mertz,et al.  Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Externally Applied Composite Fabrics , 1995 .

[4]  J. L. Bauer,et al.  ENVIRONMENTAL DURABILITY OF COMPOSITES FOR SEISMIC RETROFIT OF BRIDGE COLUMNS , 1998 .

[5]  A. Parvin and P. Granata.  Numerical Study Of Structural Joints ReinforcedWith Composite Fabrics , 1998 .

[6]  Charles W. Dolan,et al.  Development of FRP Reinforcement Guidelines for Prestressed Concrete Structures , 1997 .

[7]  J. Mander,et al.  Theoretical stress strain model for confined concrete , 1988 .

[8]  A. Nanni,et al.  BRITTLE FAILURE IN FRP PLATE AND SHEET BONDED BEAMS , 1997 .

[9]  Hamid Saadatmanesh,et al.  STRENGTH AND DUCTILITY OF CONCRETE COLUMNS EXTERNALLY REINFORCED WITH FIBER COMPOSITE STRAPS , 1994 .

[10]  H. Saadatmanesh,et al.  RC Beams Strengthened with GFRP Plates. I: Experimental Study , 1991 .

[11]  S. Alcocer,et al.  STRENGTH OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAME CONNECTIONS REHABILITATED BY JACKETING , 1993 .

[12]  Amir Mirmiran,et al.  COMPOSITE FRP-CONCRETE COLUMN WITH BI-DIRECTIONAL EXTERNAL REINFORCEMENT , 1996 .

[13]  Azadeh Parvin,et al.  Investigation on the effects of fiber composites at concrete joints , 2000 .

[14]  Yan Xiao,et al.  SEISMIC RETROFIT OF RC CIRCULAR COLUMNS USING PREFABRICATED COMPOSITE JACKETING , 1997 .

[15]  Michael J. Chajes,et al.  Durability of Composite Material Reinforcement , 1994 .