One considerable weakness in reinforced concrete (R.C) structures is the connection between beams and columns. Several researchers showed that R.C joints suffer brittle failure due to combined effect of loading on the joints. Therefore, the ductility of the beam-column joints in R.C structures is an essential factor to prevent sudden failure of the joint. Different techniques were adapted by several researchers to increase the ductility and strength of beam-column joints including the use of high strength concrete, special stirrups and reinforcement configuration, steel plates and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP). One way to improve the ductility of such joints is the use of FRP sheet wraps. This research focuses on studying the effect of using FRP wraps around beam on ductility of exterior R.C beam-column joints. To achieve this main objective; this research focuses on the key parameters controlling ductility of joints, namely, relative inertia of column to beam (G), amount of transverse steel in joint (Av/s)J and amount of transverse steel in beam (Av/s)B. Finite Element (F.E.) analysis using commercial F.E. software (ABAQUS) is used to investigate the ductility behavior of R.C joints strengthened by FRP. The mentioned parameters are investigated numerically. Results show that the using CFRP wraps around beam converts the brittle failure to ductile failure. Stirrups continuity inside the joint increases the capacity and ductility for models dominated by shear failure.

Title

Composite Structures

Publisher

Elsevier

Publisher Country

Netherlands

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

4.86

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

201

Year

2018

Pages

721-739