Behaviour of steel-jacket retrofitted RC columns with preload effects

The experimental results are discussed and illustrate that the effects of preloading levels on the axial compression strength of the retrofitted columns are negligible while increasing the preloads could decrease the eccentric compressive strength. A fibre element model is developed to predict the behaviour of the retrofitted columns. The material non-linear behaviour of all the components considering the steel tube and stirrup confining effects on the concrete as well as the preloading action are taken into account in the model. The model is validated by comparing its results with the experimental results. Extensive parametric studies are undertaken by using the proposed numerical model to elucidate the effects of axial and moment preloading and the effects of preloads with various other parameters on the performance of the retrofitted columns.