Engineering Project: CFRP for Concrete Column Strengthening

This project proposal focuses on the application of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for the strengthening and repair of concrete columns. It begins with an executive summary highlighting CFRP's benefits, such as high strength-to-weight ratio and environmental friendliness, and its increasing use in civil engineering. The proposal includes a detailed literature review analyzing existing research on CFRP, comparing it to other repair methods, and addressing design and application challenges. It defines the research questions, justifying the need to understand CFRP's properties and advantages. The project outlines a research hypothesis, research methodology involving literature review and experimental analysis, and the theoretical basis for CFRP's use in beam-column joints. An experimental framework is described, including specimen design, testing procedures, and data evaluation methods. The project anticipates forward projections and relevant outcomes, culminating in a conclusion that summarizes the findings and potential for future research. References to key research papers and studies support the proposal's assertions.

Running Head: ENGINEERING PROJECT PREPARATION
Engineering Project Preparation
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Executive Summary
CFRP is a strengthening material made of carbon fiber that is widely used to repair and
strengthen concrete columns. The main benefits of CFRP are rigidity, strength and low weight
that enables the construction engineers to use this material for building heavy structures like
multi-storey buildings, bridges and others. However, due to lack of sufficient experimental
analysis and design issues, some construction companies avoid using this material. Future
prospects suggest this material will be used widely and globally across the world in order to
develop heavy structures.

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction and Overview........................................................................................................3
2.0 Analysis and Critical Overview of Existing Research..............................................................3
3.0 Research Question.....................................................................................................................6
3.1 Definition...............................................................................................................................6
3.2 Justification............................................................................................................................7
4.0 Research Hypothesis..................................................................................................................7
5.0 Research Methodology..............................................................................................................8
6.0 Theoretical Basis.......................................................................................................................8
7.0 Experimental Framework..........................................................................................................9
8.0 Data Evaluation Method..........................................................................................................11
9.0 Forward Projections of Outcomes...........................................................................................12
10.0 Summary of Relevant Outcomes...........................................................................................13
11.0 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................15

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1.0 Introduction and Overview
This project proposal is mainly based on strengthening and repair of concrete column
using CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer). CFRP generally includes different variations of
carbon polymer made of different proportions of other strengthening materials to develop fiber-
reinforced plastic. This type of material provides high strength-to-weight ratio and hence, they
can be used to build materials that should be light in weight but rigid and strong (e.g. tail of radio
controlled helicopter) (Jain, Chellapandian and Prakash 2017). The CFRP material is becoming
more and more popular as it is also environment friendly and relatively cheaper than other
alternative materials. CFRP finds uses in various fields that include aeronautical engineering,
automotive engineering, civil engineering, sports goods and others. However, the focus of this
paper is entirely on civil engineering and hence, an application of CFRP will be discussed within
the field of civil engineering.
CFRP is generally used as one of the most important components for repair and
strengthening of concrete columns in civil engineering. The main advantage is that due to the use
of CFRP, the concrete column has lesser weight than normal columns without CFRP but the
strength and rigidity increases considerably. This paper is based on the analysis of CFRP in the
strengthening concrete column as well as a proposal for experimental analysis of the same.
2.0 Analysis and Critical Overview of Existing Research
The most recent report by Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 352 (ACI 352R-02) states that
joints in structures worked in front of the improvement of current design rules must be learned to
find and analyze the characteristics and uses of the FRP materials in repair and strengthening of

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concrete structures. As indicated by Fakharifar et al. (2015), preceding the development of new
strengthening plans, it is critical that the other strategies for repair and strengthening of concrete
structures should be known. Every strategy for repair or strengthening is analyzed on its
application points of interest, required work, cluster of relevance, and execution. Relative
advantages and disadvantages of each method should be analyzed in order to choose the best
technique or method. These techniques analyzed are as follows: 1) epoxy repair; 2) expulsion
and substitution; 3) concrete jacketing; 4) concrete stone work unit jacketing; 5) steel jacketing
and expansion of outer steel components; and 6) strengthening with fiber-reinforced polymeric
(FRP) composite applications.
Figure 1: Stress Strain Analysis of CFRP Materials
(Source: Rousakis, Kouravelou and Karachalios 2014, pp.80)
Parvin and Brighton (2014) said that usage of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composite
materials for strengthening and repair of basic individuals is turning into an inexorably well
known range of research and application inside the most recent decade. Be that as it may, the
technique is yet to wind up standard application due to number of efficient and design related

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issues. From a basic mechanics point of view, a fundamental concern concerning the adequacy
and safety of this strategy might be the capability of fragile debonding failures. Such failures,
unless sufficiently considered in the design procedure, may altogether diminish the power of the
strengthening or repair application. As of late, there is a centralization of research endeavors on
portrayal and displaying of debonding failures. FRP composite materials have seen a consistent
increment of utilized as a part of auxiliary strengthening and repair applications around the world
inside the most recent decade (Singh et al. 2014). High firmness to-weight and quality to-weight
proportions of those materials consolidated utilizing their predominant natural durability have
made them a contending other option to the regular strengthening and repair materials. Nearby
and government offices stood up to with the undertaking of monetarily updating the regularly
expanding number of maturing and substandard structures have put resources into this district
prompting various research studies and applications.
Figure 2: Beam Behavior after Monotonic Loading
(Source: Rousakis, Kouravelou and Karachalios 2014, pp86)

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It has been appeared through trial and hypothetical examinations that remotely reinforced
FRP composites might be utilized to support the coveted execution of an auxiliary part such as
its load conveying limit and solidness, malleability, execution under cyclic and fatigue loading
and ecological durability (Yang et al. 2015). However, the methodology is yet to end up standard
application as a result of number of sparing and design related issues. Paultre et al. (2015) said
that as of the last few years, outside FRP frameworks are getting popular in construction industry
in spite of just restricted exploratory research information on the seismic reaction of FRP-
wrapped examples. The objective of the current research is to learn the power of CFRP and
GFRP to fortify reinforced concrete columns, put through virtually recreated seismic tremor
loading, utilizing both redesign and repair procedures. This research is a component of a broad
examination to identify and analyze the aftereffects of imprisonment support on the seismic
conduct of roundabout and square concrete columns. Correlations may likewise be made
between the strength of CFRP and of transverse steel to supply seismic protection.
3.0 Research Question
3.1 Definition
This research study is mainly based on the analysis of the properties of CFRP and its
applicability in strengthening and repairing of concrete column. Hence, the research questions
for the proposal can be defined as follows.
 How can CFRP be used for strengthening of concrete pillars?
 What are the properties and characteristics of CFRP?
 What are the advantages of CFRP over other strengthening materials?

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3.2 Justification
In order to conduct this research, it is extremely important to determine the
characteristics, composition and properties of CFRP. Moreover, it is important to determine the
properties of CFRP in order to compare it with other similar alternative materials. This
comparison will help to determine its advantages over others. Hence, the above research
questions must be addressed accordingly.
4.0 Research Hypothesis
In this proposed research project, concrete structures have been repaired using weight
implantation of epoxy; another strategy for epoxy repair is vacuum impregnation. For vacuum
impregnation, epoxy narrows ports were arranged in the base of each beam and at the base of the
column repair range. Researchers consider the quality of both epoxy techniques to repair two
one-route inside joints that were respectably hurt due to insufficient breakwater of tireless beam
bars. The vacuum was associated through three hoses joined at the most astounding purpose of
the repair range in the column. Extraordinary physical bond breaking down in the repaired joints
occurred just a single half-cycle sooner than expected. Both repair techniques were successful in
restoring over 85% of the strength, quality, and imperativeness scattering properties of the
fundamental cases. The standard conclusion was that vacuum impregnation shows a compelling
technique for repairing significant parts of damage instantly and that it could be balanced for
joints with less open sides.

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5.0 Research Methodology
This research is mainly based on literature review and experimental analysis. In the
literature review, sufficient data has been collected regarding the use of CFRP for strengthening
and repair of concrete columns. This data has been used to prepare the theoretical basis and
research hypothesis that will be further applied in the experimental analysis of the topic. The
sources of the literature review include literary works and research papers of reputed researchers
as well as some data from organizations that have successfully implemented the use of CFRP in
concrete columns for strengthening purposes.
6.0 Theoretical Basis
The execution of beam-column joints has for a very long time been perceived as a
noteworthy factor that influences the whole process of reinforced concrete (RC) confined
structures subjected to extensive parallel burdens. Buildings developed before 1976 may have
critical lacks in the joint areas. The principal design rules for strengthened concrete beam-
column joints were distributed in 1976 in the U.S. (ACI 352R-761) and in 1982 in New Zealand
(NZS 3101:19822) (Triantafillou et al. 2016). Particularly considering that the Mexico
earthquake of 1985, a lot of research has been committed in order to identify the basic subtle
elements of non-seismically designed buildings and also to creating sorts of strengthening. The
vast majority of the repair and strengthening plans proposed to date, in any case, utilize a
constrained cluster of materialness either because of insufficient thought of floor individuals or
to building limitations (Kaya, Dawood and Gencturk 2015). Through their audits of specifying
manuals and design codes from yesteryear five decades and their counsel with rehearsing

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engineers, scientists distinguished seven points of interest as regular and conceivably basic to the
safety of gravity stack designed (GLD) structures in a major seismic activity.
7.0 Experimental Framework
In this experiment, a total of 12 specimens are going to be tested. Every specimen will
join a 356 mm measurement and 1.47 m long column cast necessarily by utilizing a 510 x 760 x
810 mm stub. The stub will represent a broken point or discontinuity, e.g. a beam column joint or
maybe a footing balance. Each one of the columns will contain six 25M (500 mm2) longitudinal
steel bars, and furthermore the spirals will be produced using U.S. No. 3 (71 mm2) bars. In each
specimen, precisely the center zone measured to the centerline of winding to the gross division of
the column area will be set consistent at 74%.
Figure 3: Reinforcing Cages of Specimen
(Source: Rousakis, Kouravelou and Karachalios 2014, pp112)

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The design of the specimens will be focused at compelling the failure in the potential
plastic pivot locale of the column, that might be, within a period 800 mm from the facial skin of
the stub. The span of 800 mm will be picked in light of past tests where it has been watched that
the whole most harmed area of the column was roughly equivalent to the segment profundity and
found around 100 to 200 mm outside the stub. Far from the test locale, the dispersing of winding
support will seem diminished to around 2/3 of the predefined separating in the examination zone.
Figure 4: Test Setup
(Source: Rousakis, Kouravelou and Karachalios 2014, pp114)
All columns will be tested during the experiment process under parallel cyclic stacking
while at the same time being distressed by consistent pivotal load in the test. The support for the
stub will consolidate 10M (100 mm2) vertical and even stirrups at 64 mm dispersing. Moreover,
10M bars with 135 degree snares will be put at the best and base of the stub at definitely a
similar dividing. The column will represent a bridge column or a building column between the
segment of most extreme minute and the point of contraflexure. The longitudinal bars in the
columns will be totally reached out on the stub, though the winding support will be stretched out

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on the stub for 100 mm. In this experiment, all specimens are going to be cast together in vertical
positions.
8.0 Data Evaluation Method
The data has been evaluated using experimental analysis following the literature review
process. The impact of strengthening insufficiently constructed square columns with CFRP is
assessed utilizing examinations of comparative examples tried under indistinguishable loading
conditions while specimen AS-1NS served in light of the fact that the control column, examples
ASC-2NS and ASC-6NS were retrofitted with one and also 2 CFRP layers, separately.
Strengthened concrete columns worked before 1971 are known to have insufficient transverse
fortification and might fail without adequate cautioning during any high scale seismic activity
(Yan 2016).
Figure 5: Approximate and Actual Stress Distributions in FRP Strengthened (A) RC and
(B) Steel Flexural Members
(Source: Rousakis, Kouravelou and Karachalios 2014, pp.156)

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Examples AS-1NS, ASC-2NS, and ASC-6NS contained comparable inadequate amounts
of seismic transverse steel weighed against code necessities (ACI 318-027). Every column was
put through a pivotal load that was 33% of the ostensible column limit Po. This load level spoke
to a power somewhat more than the adjusted load for each situation. The entire arrangement of
columns considered in these investigations is 305 mm2. Among the open retrofit techniques,
CFRP jacketing is picking up prevalence with which has no trouble capacity of establishment
(He, Sneed and Belarbi 2014). The reported research was directed to inspect the execution of
lacking and harmed columns retrofitted with CFRP under tremor loading conditions. It is
foreseen that the real result acquired should be relevant to columns with various area sizes
accepting that parameters for example volumetric proportion of parallel steel, locale of FRP
keeping support, and the subsequent hub load are fittingly scaled.
9.0 Forward Projections of Outcomes
Performance highlights and forward projections of outcomes of the CFRP repair scheme
are identified through the comparison of Specimen ASC-2NS with Specimen ASCR-7NS. Both
had 42% of the lateral steel content mandated in ACI seismic provisions and each carried an
identical axial load of 0.33Po. The parameters recorded indicate Specimen ASCR-7NS displayed
ductility which had been comparable with Specimen ASC-2NS up a great approximately 20%
drop in capacity beyond the peak (Frascadore et al. 2015). The whole ductility parameters,
however, were significantly lower for Specimen ASCR-7NS. Specimen ASC-2NS was tested
with one CFRP layer added while Specimen ASCR-7NS was initially lightly damaged for
unretrofitted column (AS-7NS) before being retrofitted with one CFRP layer and retested to
failure. Hysteresis loops presented confirm the behavior of the repaired column was subordinate

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to, yet closely resembled, that of the undamaged wrapped specimen both in availablility of
excursions and ultimate strength quantities (Rousakis, Kouravelou and Karachalios 2014).
Nevertheless, the CFRP repair restored much of the inherent seismic capabilities of Specimen
ASCR-7NS and vastly improved its performance weighed against its unretrofitted control
column AS-1NS. The substantial difference while in the total ductility parameters reflects
previous damage sustained during cycling of Specimen AS-7NS before retrofit.
10.0 Summary of Relevant Outcomes
Usage of carbon and GFRP resulted in significant upgrade inside execution of columns,
creating expansive increments in malleability, vitality scattering limit, and quality. In steel
strengthened columns, area and part pliability diminished fundamentally with a lifted winding
pitch and negligible measure of winding fortification. Dissimilar to the inner winding
fortification that lone limits the center concrete, the FRP wraps successfully restrict the whole
column area. For a column subjected with a hub stack equivalent to 0.27Po, which is roughly
equivalent to some adjusted load, one layer of carbon or GFRP expanded the vitality
dissemination limit by a part of more than 100. The adverse results of an insignificant measure of
winding support and bigger separating are frequently made up for by the imprisonment made
accessible from FRP. The characteristic nature of FRP retrofitted columns under recreated
tremor loads coordinated or surpassed the execution of slab fortified columns designed great
seismic arrangements with the ACI Code.

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11.0 Conclusion
From the entire analysis, it can be concluded that CFRP is the best reinforcing material
that can be suitably used for strengthening concrete columns. It is better, stronger, more rigid as
well as cheaper than all other similar alternatives. As a result, it is now widely used in
construction industry for building large structures like multistoried buildings, bridges and others.
However, there are some issues with it as well due to which, it is still not used by many
contractors. The performance of beam-column joints has been recognized as a significant factor
that affects the entire behavior of reinforced concrete framed structures subjected to large lateral
loads. In recent years, external FRP systems are becoming widespread in construction industry
despite only limited experimental research data on the seismic response of FRP-wrapped
specimens. Hence, it can finally be concluded that with the ongoing research activities and
experimental analyses, CFRP materials will become the mostly used strengthening material for
concrete structures in the near future.

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References
Al-Saidy, A.H., Saadatmanesh, H., El-Gamal, S., Al-Jabri, K.S. and Waris, B.M., 2016.
Structural behavior of corroded RC beams with/without stirrups repaired with CFRP
sheets. Materials and Structures, 49(9), pp.3733-3747.
Fakharifar, M., Chen, G., Dalvand, A. and Shamsabadi, A., 2015. Collapse vulnerability and
fragility analysis of substandard RC bridges rehabilitated with different repair jackets under post-
mainshock cascading events. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 9(3),
pp.345-367.
Frascadore, R., Di Ludovico, M., Prota, A., Verderame, G.M., Manfredi, G., Dolce, M. and
Cosenza, E., 2015. Local strengthening of reinforced concrete structures as a strategy for seismic
risk mitigation at regional scale. Earthquake Spectra, 31(2), pp.1083-1102.
Hadi, M.N. and Tran, T.M., 2014. Retrofitting nonseismically detailed exterior beam–column
joints using concrete covers together with CFRP jacket. Construction and Building
Materials, 63, pp.161-173.
He, R., Sneed, L.H. and Belarbi, A., 2014. Torsional repair of severely damaged column using
carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. ACI Structural Journal, 111(3), p.705.
Jain, S., Chellapandian, M. and Prakash, S.S., 2017. Emergency repair of severely damaged
reinforced concrete column elements under axial compression: An experimental
study. Construction and Building Materials, 155, pp.751-761.

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Jiang, S.F., Zeng, X., Shen, S. and Xu, X., 2016. Experimental studies on the seismic behavior of
earthquake-damaged circular bridge columns repaired by using combination of near-surface-
mounted BFRP bars with external BFRP sheets jacketing. Engineering Structures, 106, pp.317-
331.
Kaya, A., Dawood, M. and Gencturk, B., 2015. Repair of corroded and buckled short steel
columns using concrete-filled GFRP jackets. Construction and Building Materials, 94, pp.20-27.
Li, Y., Liu, X., Wu, M. and Bai, W., 2017. Research of electrochemical chloride extraction and
reinforcement of concrete column using MPC-bonded carbon fiber reinforced plastic sheet &
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Paultre, P., Boucher-Trudeau, M., Eid, R. and Roy, N., 2015. Behavior of Circular Reinforced-
Concrete Columns Confined with Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Polymers under Cyclic Flexure and
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and ductility of CFRP jacketed reinforced concrete beam-column joints. Construction and
Building Materials, 55, pp.194-201.

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Triantafillou, T.C., Choutopoulou, E., Fotaki, E., Skorda, M., Stathopoulou, M. and Karlos, K.,
2016. FRP confinement of wall-like reinforced concrete columns. Materials and
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