Carbon Fiber Sheets with CF Strands can make all Concrete Structural Members' Seismic Strengthening
By H. Tsukagoshi, Y. Jinno, H. Watanabe and S. Watanabe
Concrete Journal, Vol.41, Apr. 2003
- Synopsis
- The SR-CF system is a method for retrofitting existing reinforced concrete buildings against earthquakes by laminating carbon fiber sheets. The method improves the shear strengths of independent columns, columns with side walls, beams, and walls. Strengthening of reinforced concrete structures with carbon fiber sheets is the best method for retrofotting existing buildings since it features small and light materials, little noise and vibration, short working periods, and no welding works. Carbon fiber sheets, very strong against tensile forces, are little adhesive to concrete surfaces and prone to peeling from concrete when a force is applied. For this reason, the method has been effective as long as the peeling-off is prevented, such as by wrapping a carbon fiber sheet around an independent column and forming a hoop of carbon fiber. On the other hand, the SR-CF system is effective to retrofit columns with side walls, beams, and walls, around which hoops of carbon fiber sheets are difficult to form. The SR-CF system uses special devices called the CF-anchors to join the carbon fiber sheets which are separated by side walls and to fix carbon fiber sheets to reinforced concrete building frames. The use of the CF-anchor is the most characteristic in this system.
- Keywords:
- seismic strengthening, reinforced concrete, carbon fiber sheet, CF-anchor
