Experimental Assessment of RC Beam-Column Connections with Internal and External Strengthening Techniques

This paper presents the performance of reinforced concrete beam-column connections strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets externally and steel bars internally. The work emphasized joint behavior under reverse cyclic loading to assess deformation capacity and strength. The study aims the existing buildings designed inadequately in joint sections. For experimental analysis, an exterior joint application was used. In strengthening, four different strengthening configurations were used. Each configuration was designed to illustrate the effect of strengthening at joint sections of the samples. Cyclic performance of the retrofitted samples compared to the control sample satisfies the current building code requirements. Test results indicated that bearing capacity and ductility of the connections were closely related to the original condition of the element and strengthening application.