Seismic performance of RC-frame structures with GFRP infill panels

This paper presents results from experimental studies on the seismic performance of RC-frame structures strengthened with glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) infill panels. Three RC specimens were fabricated and then tested to evaluate the efficiency of the GFRP infill panels. The performance of GFRP infill panels installed in RC-frame structures was evaluated based on the results from measures of strength, failure mode, initial lateral displacement, displacement ductility and hysteretic dissipated energy. Both the strength and the initial lateral stiffness of the RC-frame structures strengthened with GFRP infill panels was greater than that of the un-strengthened specimen; however, the displacement ductility and energy-dissipation capacity of specimens strengthened only with GFRP infill panels decreased. This decreased-ductility issue was resolved by adding GFRP column reinforcement at the tops and bottoms of the columns. The strength, initial lateral stiffness, displacement ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens strengthened with both GFRP infill panels and GFRP column reinforcement increased over the un-strengthened specimen. Finally, it is important that GFRP infill panels, if used together with GFRP column reinforcements, be considered in seismic-strengthening design in order to increase the seismic performance of existing RC-frame structures.