• Computers and Concrete
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.305-318
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• 2009

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is widely used for retrofitting concrete structures for various purposes. Especially, for the retrofitting of concrete structures subjected to blast loads, FRP is proven to be a very effective retrofitting material. However, a systematic design procedure to implement FRP for concrete structure retrofitting against blast loads does not exist currently. In addition, in case of concrete structures with inarticulate geometrical boundary conditions such as arch structures, an effective analysis technique is needed to obtain reliable results based on minimal analytical assumptions. Therefore, in this study, a systematic and efficient blast analysis procedure for FRP retrofitting design of concrete arch structure is suggested. The procedure is composed of three sequential parts of preliminary analysis, breach and debris analysis, and retrofit-material analysis. Based on the suggested procedure, blast analyses are carried out by using explicit code, LS-DYNA. The study results are discussed in detail.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 2024

In this paper, buckling conditions and retrofitting of cylindrical steel water storage tanks with different roof types and wall thicknesses were investigated by using finite element method. Four roof types of cylindrical steel tanks which are open-top, flat-closed, conical-closed and torispherical-closed and three wall thicknesses of 4, 6 and 8 mm were considered in FE modeling of cylindrical steel tanks. The roof shapes significantly affect load distribution on the tank shell under the seismic action. Composite FRP materials are widely used for winding thin-walled cylindrical steel structures. The retrofitting efficiency of cylindrical steel water tank is tested under the seismic loading with the externally bonded CFRP laminates. In retrofitting of cylindrical steel tank, the CFRP composite material coating method was used to improve of seismic performance of cylindrical steel tanks. ANSYS software was used to analyze the cylindrical steel tanks and maximum equivalent (von-Mises) and directional deformation were obtained. Equivalent (von-Mises) stresses significantly decreased due to the coating of the tank shell with FRP composite material. In thin-walled steel structures, excessive stress causes buckling and deformations. Therefore, retrofitting led to decrease in stress, reductions in directional and buckling deformation of the open-top, flat-closed, conical-closed and torispherical-closed tanks.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.625-639
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• 2019

The concept of the combined seismic and energy retrofitting of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings was examined in this paper through a number of case studies conducted on model buildings (simulating buildings of the '60s-'80s in southern Europe) constructed according to outdated design standards. Specifically, seismic and thermal analyses have been conducted prior to and after the application of selected retrofitting schemes, in order to quantify the positive effect that retrofitting could provide to RC buildings both in terms of their structural and energy performance. Advanced materials, namely the textile reinforced mortars (TRM), were used for providing seismic retrofitting by means of jacketing of masonry infills in RC frames. Moreover, following the application of the TRM jackets, thermal insulation materials were simultaneously provided to the RC building envelope, exploiting the fresh mortar used to bind the TRM jackets. In addition to the externally applied insulation material, all the fenestration elements (windows and doors) were replaced with new high energy efficiency ones. Afterwards, an economic measure, namely the expected annual loss (EAL) was used to evaluate the efficiency of each retrofitting method, but also to assess whether the combined seismic and energy retrofitting is economically feasible. From the results of this preliminary study, it was concluded that the selected seismic retrofitting technique can indeed enhance significantly the structural behaviour of an existing RC building and lower its EAL related to earthquake risks. Finally, it was found that the combined seismic and energy upgrading is economically more efficient than a sole energy or seismic retrofitting scenario for seismic areas of south Europe.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Retrofitting is an alteration of existing member or component of the structure. In civil engineering point of view, it is called strengthening of the old structure. Deterioration of structures may be due to aging, corrosion, failure of joints, earthquake forces, increase in service loads, etc. Such structures need urgent repair, retrofitting and strengthening to avoid collapse, cracking and loss in strength or deflection. Advanced techniques are required to be developed for the repair of structural components to replace conventional techniques. This paper focuses exclusively on torsional behaviour of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams and retrofitted RC beams wrapped with aramid fiber. Beams were retrofitted with aramid fiber by full wrapping and in the form of 150 mm wide strips at a spacing of 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm respectively using epoxy resin and hardener. A total 15 numbers of RC beams of 150 mm×300 mm×1300 mm in size were cast, 3 beams are tested as control specimens, and 12 beams are tested for torsion up to the failure and then retrofitted with aramid fiber. Experimental results are validated with the help of data obtained by finite element analysis using ANSYS. The full wrapping configuration of aramid fiber regains 105% strength after retrofitting. With the increase in spacing of fabric material, torsional strength reduces to 82% with about 45% saving in material.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.17 no.3_4
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• pp.347-356
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• 2004

In order to extend the lifetime of buildings and civil infrastructure, patch type fibrous composite retrofitting materials are widely used. Retrofitted concrete columns and beams gain stiffness and strength, but lose toughness and show brittle failure. Usually, the cracks in concrete structures are visible to the naked eye and the status of the structure in the life cycle is estimated through visual inspections. After retrofitting of the structure, crack visibility is blocked by retrofitted composite materials. Therefore, structural monitoring after retrofitting is indispensable and self diagnosis method with optical fiber sensors is very useful. In this paper, we try to detect the peel out effect and find the strain difference between the main structure and retrofitting patch material when they separate from each other. In the experiment, two fiber optic Bragg grating sensors are applied to the main concrete structure and the patching material separately at the same position. The sensors show coincident behaviors at the initial loading, but different behaviors after a certain load. The test results show the possibility of optical fiber sensor monitoring of beam structures retrofitted by the composite patches.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.267-278
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• 2018

Structures may need retrofitting as a result of design and calculation errors, lack of proper implementation, post-construction change in use, damages due to accidental loads, corrosion and changes introduced in new editions of construction codes. Retrofitting helps to compensate weakness and increase the service life. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is a modern material for retrofitting steel elements. This study aims to investigate the effect of deficiency location on the axial behavior of compressive elements of Circular Hollow Section (CHS) steel short columns. The deficiencies located vertically or horizontally at the middle or bottom of the element. A total of 43 control column and those with deficiencies were investigated in the ABAQUS software. Only 9 of them tested in the laboratory. The results indicated that the deficiencies had a significant effect on the increase in axial deformation, rupture in deficiency zone (local buckling), and decrease in ductility and bearing capacity. The damages of steel columns were responsible for resistance and stiffness drop at deficiency zone. Horizontal deficiency at the middle and vertical deficiency at the bottom of the steel columns were found to be the most critical. Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) as the most effective material in retrofitting the damaged columns, significantly helped the increase in resistance and rupture control around the deficiency zone.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 2015

The main goal of this study was to develop a convenient strengthening technique for retrofitting of reinforced concrete members. For this purpose a new retrofitting material so-called prefabricated-HSPRCC (high performance steel plate reinforced cementitious composite) panel was developed by using high performance concrete and perforated steel plate. Prefabricated-HSPRCC composes advantages of steel and high performance concrete. The prefabricated-HSPRCC panels were either only bonded on the specimens using epoxy mortar or anchored to the specimen by steel bolts as well as bonding. Effect of different variations such as prefabricated-HSPRCC panel thicknesses, steel plate thicknesses, puncture orientation of perforated steel plate, existence of anchorage etc. were studied through a simple experimental work. The behaviour of the specimens under vertical point load was also studied by using simple mechanics. The retrofitted specimens were found to exhibit much better performance both in terms of strength and deformation capability. The anchorage application was found to positively affect this improved performance. Furthermore, as a result of the tests the best parameters of prefabricated-HSPRCC plate for improving strength and deformation capacities were determined.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.797-815
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• 2014

This research aimed to investigate retrofitting methods for damaged RC columns with SRF (Super Reinforced with Flexibility) and aramid composites and their impacts on the seismic responses. In the first stage, two original (undamaged) column specimens, designed to have a flexural- or shear-controlled failure mechanism, were tested under quasi-static lateral cyclic and constant axial loads to failure. Afterwards, the damaged column specimens were retrofitted, utilizing SRF composites and aramid rods for the flexural-controlled specimen and only SRF composites for the shear-controlled specimen. In the second stage, the retrofitted column specimens were tested again under the same conditions as the first stage. The hysteretic responses such as strength, ductility and energy dissipation were discussed and compared to clarify the specific effects of each retrofitting material on the seismic performances. Generally, SRF composites contributed greatly to the ductility of the specimens, especially for the shear-controlled specimen before retrofitting, in which twice the deformation capacity was obtained in the retrofitted specimen. The shear-controlled specimen also experienced a flexural failure mechanism after retrofitting. In addition, aramid rods moderately fortified the specimen in terms of the maximum shear strength. The maximum strength of the aramid-retrofitted specimen was 12% higher than the specimen without aramid rods. In addition, an analytical modeling of the undamaged specimens was conducted using Response-2000 and Zeus Nonlinear in order to further validate the experimental results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.57-60
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• 2001

In order to extend the life time of building and civil infra-structure, nowadays, patch type fibrous composite materials are widely used. Retrofitted concrete columns and beams gain the stiffness and strength, but they lose toughness and show brittle failure. Usually, the cracks of concrete structures are visible with naked eyes and the status of the structure in the life cycle is estimated with visible inspection. After retrofitting of the structure, crack visibility is blocked by retrofitted composite materials. Therefore, structural monitoring after retrofitting is indispensible and self diagnosis method with optical fiber sensor is very useful. In this paper, We try to detect peel out effect and find the strain difference between main structure and retrofitting patch material when they separate each other.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.541-561
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• 2011

The Finite Element Method (FEM) was employed to demonstrate that accurate simulations of seismically repaired and retrofitted reinforced concrete shear walls can be achieved provided a good analysis program with comprehensive models for material and structural behaviour is used. Furthermore, the analysis tool should have the capability to retain residual damage experienced by the original structure and carry it forward in the repaired and retrofitted structure. The focus herein is to provide quick, simple, but reliable modelling procedures for repair and retrofitting strategies such as concrete replacement, addition of diagonal reinforcing bars, bolting of external steel plates, and bonding of external steel plates and fibre reinforced polymer sheets, thus illustrating versatility in the modelling. Slender, squat, and slender-squat shear walls were investigated. The modelling utilized simple rectangular membrane elements for the concrete, truss bar elements for the steel and FRP retrofitting materials, and bond-link elements for the bonding interface between steel or FRP to concrete. The analyses satisfactorily simulated seismic behaviour, including lateral load capacity, displacement capacity, energy dissipation, hysteretic response, and failure mode.