Post-earthquake repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete beam-column connections

Abstract

In this study the effectiveness of all the repair and strengthening techniques proposed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Manual and by Eurocode 8: part 1-4 for reinforced concrete beam-column joints damaged by strong earthquakes is investigated experimentally and analytically. Five one-half-scale exterior beam-column joint specimens were submitted to reverse cyclic pseudo-static displacements. Three of these specimens were then repaired by the epoxy pressure injection technique or by the removal and replacement technique. The other two specimens were strengthened by partial three-sided jacketing. All the repaired and strengthened specimens were then subjected to the same displacement history as that imposed on the original specimens. It can be concluded that all the repair and strengthening techniques proved to be satisfactory.