Abstract
This paper presents the experimental and analytical evaluation of the feasibility of a proposed fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofit method to strengthen corroded steel columns. This method consists of two steps: (1) wrapping the corroded steel column with an FRP jacket, and (2) filling the jacket with expansive light-weight concrete. Seven steel columns were tested in the laboratory including five strengthened columns with the proposed technique. The first two were used as control units where one was a virgin shape and the second was notched in the center zone to simulate the loss of section due to corrosion. The remaining five were all notched, and confined with FRP composite pipes within the simulated corroded zone and subsequently filled with light-weight concrete. All specimens were axially loaded to failure while strain and displacement readings were measured to demonstrate the feasibility of this repair concept. Test results show that the proposed FRP retrofit method for steel columns can be successfully applied. Furthermore, an analytical model was developed that can predict the load capacity of the FRP retrofitted steel column.
