Influence of strips configuration on the behaviour of axially loaded RC columns strengthened by steel angles and strips

This paper presents the results obtained in the full-scale laboratory tests carried out on RC columns strengthened with steel cages. It is the continuation of the study begun in the Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH) of the Technical University of Valencia, included in a paper previously published by the authors. The number of strips was increased in the areas in which the failure of the strengthened column occurred in the previous study. With this increase in the number of strips, an increment was obtained in the confinement of the concrete that improves the ultimate load of the strengthened column. The load history of the columns prior to their strengthening is analysed, taking into account different variables and the ultimate loads obtained in the laboratory tests are compared with the existing formulations. With this additional arrangement, the performance of the strengthened column is improved remarkably.