A Comparative Study on Seismic Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beam–Structural Wall Joints Using External Stiffeners Plate, Basaltic Fiber and CFRP

The existing structure might not have enough seismic resistance capacities due to construction errors, design by old building design codes (EBCS 1995), deterioration, and building function changes. To increase the seismic resistance capacity of Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures, many studies recommend different strengthening methods. Those strengthening methods have different costs, strengthening capacities, and availabilities. To identify the best, strengthening methods it needs further investigations. Most previous studies were conducted on the detailed application of individual strengthening applications. There are no previous studies that have done a comparative study on the seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete beam–structural wall joints using external stiffener plates, Basaltic Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP), and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). The main aim of this study is a comparative study on the seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete beam–structural wall joints using an external stiffener plate, BFRP and CFRP. The experimental work presented in the literature was used for validation of finite element analysis to ensure the accuracy of developed finite element models and further investigations. The numerical investigation of a comparative study on the seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete beam–structural wall joints using external stiffener plates, basaltic fiber, and CFRP has been done with the comparison of load resistance capacities. The numerical study will be done using ANSYS 22R1 mechanical APDL nonlinear software program. The finite element analysis result shows that, for both CFRP and BFRP from 0°, 45° & 90° layer orientations of CFRP strengthening methods, 90° CFRP layer orientation shows better improvement of ultimate load resistance capacity. The 90° layer orientation strengthening layout increased the load-carrying capacity of the beam-shear wall connection by 30% and 26.4% for CFRP and BFRP respectively. For both CFRP and BFRP strengthening mechanisms with 90° orientation, three number of layers and 90°, 90°& 90° configuration best fiber lay out for strengthening of beam – shear wall joint. From the three beam -shear wall strengthening mechanisms of stiffener plate, CFRP and BFRP, the stiffener plate shows better performance. The stiffener plate increases the lateral load resistance capacity of the existing beam- shear wall joint by 37% - 66%.