Mechanical behaviour of slender RC walls under seismic loading strengthened with externally bonded CFRP

Abstract

Recent post-earthquake surveys have highlighted the excellent performance of reinforced concrete (RC) wall-type structures compared to frame-type structures. Any damage observed in RC walls was primarily due to design and construction work flaws. To overcome these defects, strengthening of existing RC walls is mandatory. In this article, experimental results for six RC shear walls are discussed. The walls were designed to fail in flexure. Four out of the six specimens were strengthened externally with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strips bonded to the wall panel, and mesh anchors were introduced at the wall foundation joint to limit CFRP debonding. Two specimens, one RC alone and one RC strengthened with CFRP, were subjected to a static load test, and four specimens, one RC alone and three RC strengthened with CFRP, were subjected to cyclic load tests. The test results discussion includes load response, cracking pattern, strength, ultimate displacement and energy dissipation. The CFRP strengthening technique adopted worked well with respect to improving specimen strength, reducing deformity and dissipating energy.

Keywords:

• RC walls
• FRP strengthening
• seismic loading

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the French National Research Agency (ANR) for their financial support for this research programme through INPERMISE.