Response of interior beam-column connections integrated with various schemes of CFRP composites

This study evaluates the effectiveness of integrating Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites for improving the response of interior Beam-Column (B-C) connections under the combined effects of axial and lateral cyclic loads. Eighteen Reinforced Concrete (RC) B-C connection models were simulated using the nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) ANSYS software. The beam had a cross-sectional dimensions of 125 × 160 mm with a total length of 1600 mm, and the column cross-sectional dimensions were 125 × 150 mm with a total height of 1050 mm. Different parameters were taken into consideration in this study including: the configuration, orientation, length, and number of layers of CFRP sheets. The nonlinear FEA models were calibrated and reasonably validated based on experimental test results previously published in reputable journals. The response of the B-C connections was then evaluated in terms of mode of failure, stress contours, hysteretic loops, load-displacement envelopes, ultimate lateral load and corresponding drift displacement, and energy dissipation. The nonlinear FEA results showed that the used strengthening schemes of CFRP composites can significantly enhance the B-C connection performance leading to higher lateral load and drift capacities as well as energy dissipation. The effectiveness of the employed CFRP composite increased as the bonding area and number of CFRP sheet layers increased. The orientation angle of the CFRP sheets had had a considerable effect on the energy dissipation and minor effect on the ultimate lateral load and corresponding drift.