On the effect of plastic hinge relocation in RC buildings using CFRP

Relocation of nonlinear inelastic hinges away from the column faces towards the beams using externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) is suggested as a promising method for retrofitting of reinforced concrete (RC) joints. This approach would also prevent the formation of undesirable brittle joint failure. In order to investigate the effects of this type of retrofit in the seismic performance of RC buildings, a numerical investigation pertaining to strengthening of an 8-storey intermediate RC frame using CFRP was conducted. The retrofit strategy focused on the relocation of the plastic-prone region away from the column faces and out into the beams. To pursue this objective, composite sheets were applied at the top and bottom sides of the plastic hinge regions of beams increasing the bending moment resistance. The additional flexural stiffness generated by the composite materials at the beam to column connections is calculated by a comparison of the moment-rotation of CFRP retrofitted and original joints obtained from the finite element analysis. A rigorous seismic assessment of the retrofitted frame was implemented using the nonlinear pushover procedure and the capacity spectrum approach. The analysis results indicate that a rehabilitation design as described combined with the strong-column weak-beam design philosophy would improve the seismic performance of structures significantly.