Retrofit scheme of FRP jacketing system for blast damage mitigation of non-ductile RC building frames

Abstract

Non-ductile reinforced concrete building structures built before the 1970s have been significantly damaged and collapsed under man-made disasters (e.g., blast loads) due to their inadequate column details. The structural deficiencies can be mitigated by a fiber-reinforced polymer jacketing system. This research investigated the blast performance of a low-rise non-ductile building frame strengthened with the jacketing system. Based on the investigation, a retrofit scheme was established to mitigate the blast-induced damage and maximize the effectiveness of the retrofit system. The retrofitted models varied with the main parameters of the retrofit system associated with the confinement effect and flexural stiffness, and blast simulation was performed under various loading scenarios. The retrofit effect was examined in terms of confinement and stiffness ratios. Since the effects of the retrofit parameters on the blast performance depend on the blast loads, the retrofit scheme needs to be established in terms of expected blast loading scenarios.