AXIAL-LOAD EFFECT ON RC THIN PANELS USED FOR RETROFITTING OF RC FRAMES

Abstract

This paper aims to study the contribution of axial loads applied on reinforced concrete (RC walls to enhance contact at the interface between the beam and the wall in order to prevent massive failure in the surrounding frame with low concrete compressive strength. For this reason, the beams are curved upward in the middle at certain levels before the forming the RC walls. After the construction of the walls, the beams are freed so that the beams can exert axial loads on the walls. Four specimens are used in the experimental study. Three of them are bare RC frames retrofitted by using this technique; the fourth one is the one retrofitted with a regular panel and used as a reference specimen. No increase was observed in load carrying capacities of the specimens with axial loaded panels. However, more energy was dissipated by the specimens with axially loaded panels compared to the reference specimen.