Experimental study on seismic behavior of RC frames strengthened with CFRP sheets

The purpose of this study was to investigate experimentally the seismic performance and hysteretic energy capacity of strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) frames using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets under low-cyclic lateral loading. Two test specimens were constructed and tested under low-cyclic lateral loading. Two 1/3 scaled one-bay and one-storey RC frames specimens were constructed to simulate a two-storey industrial workshop. One specimen was reinforced by CFRP at the ends of beams, columns and at the joints; the other specimen was not reinforced and was used for comparison. This experimental study mainly investigated the effects of CFRP sheets on specimen seismic behavior. The information about the crack development, the damage characteristics, the hysteretic curves of the steel bar and CFRP sheets and the skeleton curves of frame were presented. In addition, the maximum crack width and the ultimate bearing capacity were measured. Test results indicate that the CFRP sheets reinforced frame shows a good hysteretic energy capacity and a higher ductility, which indicates that the CFRP sheets reinforced frame has a better seismic behavior. The results provide an important insight of the role of CFRP sheets in improving the earthquake resistance of frame buildings.