Study of fire-damaged circular RC columns repaired using composite confinement techniques

Abstract

Numerical and regression modelling of 21 undamaged, fire-damaged and repaired fire-damaged circular reinforced concrete (RC) columns was undertaken. The columns were exposed to temperatures of 300°C, 500°C and 900°C and tested for axial residual capacity. It was found that the concrete lost strength after exposure to a temperature of 300°C or above. Fire-damaged columns were then repaired using various composite confinement techniques. Strength was regained when carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) confinement was applied to the fire-damaged columns but it also increased the deformation and thus reduced the stiffness, which is undesirable. As an alternative, steel wire mesh, filled with cement–sand mortar and wrapped with CFRP was employed. A numerical model to predict the residual capacity of these columns was developed. The development of numerical techniques, including material properties, geometry, elements, loading, boundary conditions and contact algorithms for undamaged, fire-damaged and repaired fire-damaged columns is reviewed and summarised. Analytical equations were developed using linear, multiple and quadratic regression modelling. The results obtained using the proposed model and regression equations showed that these models offer a better alternative to experimental testing for the prediction of the post-fire performance of damaged and repaired RC columns.