Retrofit of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Connections with Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites

Funding: 2005: $100,000
2006: $93,000
2007: $90,000

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)

Start year: 2005

Summary: In 1999-2000 Australia spent $19 billion on civil engineering infrastructure renewal (3% of the country's GDP) and external bonding of high-strength fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) offers a viable renewal solution. Effective retrofitting of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is, however, severely limited by the non-existence of an effective beam-column connection retrofit procedure. The aims of this project are to develop an efficient and effective technique for retrofitting structurally deficient RC connections with FRP, predict their behaviour numerically, and formulate safe design procedures. Project outcomes will be the recommendation of FRP retrofitting techniques for RC beam-column connections and associated design guidelines.

Publications:

Shrestha, R, Smith, ST & Samali, B 1970, 'Effectiveness of strengthening RC beam-column connections in shear with vertical FRP strips', Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, CICE 2008, International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, EMPA-Akademie, Zurich - Switzerland, pp. 1-6.

Keywords: Retrofit, Rehabilitation and Repair, Reinforced Concrete, Strengthening, Fibre Reinforced Polymer FRP composites, Structures,

FOR Codes: Structural Engineering, Civil, Cement and concrete materials, Other, Civil Construction Design, Structural engineering

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.