EFEECT OF BEAM DEPTH REDUCTION AT THE JOINT OF RC STRUCTURES AND STRENGTHENING USING FRP SHEETS

In this paper, the effect of reduction in the height of the joint on the behavior of RC connections is investigated. Also, the effect of different arrangements of FRP sheets on the behavior of the connections with reduced joint depth is studied using finite element method. This study showed that the use of horizontal FRP sheets at the lower level of the joint has the most effect on the strength of the connection. Moreover, the use of vertical FRP sheets does not significantly affect the strength of the connection. FRP sheets increase the strength of the connections with joint depth reduction. In some cases strengthened joint shows strength higher than initial connection without joint depth reduction

Keywords:

RC connections , Beam depth reduction , Strengthening , FRP sheet , Finite element method