Experimental Behavior of a Severely Damaged RC Beam-Column Joint Strengthened with FRCM Composites

Recent research regarding the use of fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites has proven the effectiveness of this technique for strengthening existing reinforced concrete (RC) members in bending, shear, and axial confinement. However, the experimental evidence is still limited, and further research on the topic is needed. The knowledge is especially limited concerning the use of FRCM composites for strengthening of RC beam-column joints. In this study, an RC exterior beam-column joint that was severely damaged under quasi-static cyclic lateral loading was repaired with externally bonded carbon-FRCM composite applied to the joint and column end regions and then retested. The responses of the original and repaired specimens were evaluated and compared in terms of load-displacement hysteretic behavior, stiffness decay, and energy dissipation.