Experimental study on seismic strengthening of RC columns with wrapped CFRP sheets

Eight specimens, including two strengthened after being loaded to yield level to imitate strengthening with some damage and one strengthened under a sustained axial load to imitate strengthening under service condition, were tested under constant axial load and lateral cyclic load to investigate seismic performance of RC columns strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets (CFRP sheets). The ductility enhancement with the confinement of CFRP sheets was studied by the strain development and distribution in the CFRP sheets. Based on the experimental results, a confinement factor of CFRP and an equivalent transversal reinforcement index were suggested. Thus, the seismic design method of the current Chinese seismic design code for RC columns can be directly used in determining the amount of CFRP required for seismic strengthening.