Ferrier Emmanuel
Lyon University, France
Title: External Bonded Fiber Reinforced Polymer seismic strengthening of RC structures
Biography
Biography: Ferrier Emmanuel
Abstract
Several studies available in the literature demonstrate that carbon, glass or natural fibers can be employed in Externally Bonded (EB) Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strips for strengthening existing Reinforced Concrete (RC) members. The paper aims at presenting a large overview of research and field applications of retrofitting of RC structures by using Fiber-Reinforced Polymers. The focus wil be done on research, field application and standart. The paper will also present recent research progress in this field promoting the use of natural fibers. The study consists of an experimental campaign and some analytical evaluations. The behaviour observed in the tests on RC walls strengthened by FFRP are compared with both a reference wall and similar specimens strengthened with more conventional composite materials (i.e. Carbon-FRP, CFRP). The test results show that FFRP have the potential to be used for seismic retrofitting as a viable alternative to more common FRP materials and other traditional techniques. Indeed, RC wall specimens strengthened with FFRP show strength increases up to 150% and a ductility gains equal to about 30%. Moreover, the tests show that the walls strengthened by FFRP generally dissipate more energy than the ones strengthened with CFRP: this is an important property for seismic strengthening and retrofitting of existing RC structures.