Browsing by Subject "Retrofit"
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Item Concrete Masonry Wall Retrofit Systems for Blast Protection(2013-12-11) Johnson, Carol FayeThe increased threat against government and public facilities in the United States and abroad has highlighted the need to provide an economic and efficient method to retrofit existing conventional structures. Hollow, unreinforced, concrete masonry unit (CMU) infill walls, commonly used in reinforced concrete or steel framed structures, are particularly vulnerable to blast loads. Facilities that incorporate CMU walls must either be hardened or retrofitted for explosive events. Conventional retrofit techniques that focus on increasing the overall strength of the structure by adding steel or concrete are difficult to implement, time consuming, expensive, and in some cases, increase the debris hazard. The current research presents an alternative retrofit system for CMU walls that involves the application of an elastomeric material applied to the interior surface of the wall to prevent secondary debris in the form of CMU fragments from entering the structure when it is exposed to blast loads. The experimental program used to evaluate the alternative retrofit systems was divided into three phases. In Phase one, resistance functions for seven different retrofit systems were developed in 24 subscale static experiments. In Phase two, the structural response of the retrofit systems subjected to blast loads was evaluated in 25 subscale experiments. The final phase of the experimental program consisted of 18 full-scale high-explosive (HE) experiments used to validate the structural response observed in the subscale dynamic experiments. Data generated from the experimental program were used to develop a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model to predict the mid-span deflection of the retrofitted CMU walls subjected to blast loads. The subscale resistance functions from Phase one were scaled and used in the SDOF model. The full-scale experimental results and the predicted results from the model were compared and the retrofit systems were ranked according to the qualitative and quantitative results obtained from the experimental and analytical research.Item Fatigue behavior of post-installed shear connectors used to strengthen continuous non-composite steel bridge girders(2016-08) Ghiami Azad, Amir Reza; Engelhardt, Michael D.; Williamson, Eric B., 1968-; Helwig, Todd A; Jirsa, James O; Taleff, Eric MMany older bridges in Texas are constructed with floor systems consisting of a concrete slab over steel girders. A potentially economical means of strengthening these floor systems is to connect the existing concrete slab and steel girders using post-installed shear connectors to change the behavior of the beam from non-composite to partially-composite. Since fatigue is one of the main concerns in designing bridges, investigating the fatigue properties of these post-installed shear connectors becomes crucial. Results from direct-shear testing show that post-installed shear connectors have a better fatigue life compared to conventional welded shear studs. However, based on currently available data from direct-shear tests, fatigue life of post-installed shear connectors is still inadequate for economical retrofit in some cases. Furthermore, it is unclear if direct-shear tests provide an appropriate means of evaluating fatigue performance. The objective of this dissertation is to develop new and more accurate approaches for evaluating the fatigue characteristics of post-installed shear connectors. This objective is addressed through large-scale beam fatigue tests and computational studies. The focus of the work is on evaluating fatigue life of shear connectors based on both slip and stress demands.Item Procedures to rehabilitate extremely damaged concrete members using innovative materials and devices(2013-12) Huaco Cárdenas, Guillermo David; Jirsa, J. O. (James Otis)Using innovative materials or devices in techniques for strengthening or repair of RC concrete members may provide interesting alternatives for structural engineers. Laboratory tests were conducted on full scale reinforced concrete columns and a masonry wall that suffered severe damage. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer - CFRP sheets and anchors were used to improve shear capacity or ductility elements. CFRP jacket were installed on column hinge regions while diagonal ties (tension braces) were used on the masonry wall. Mechanical splices were used in columns where concrete crushed and bars buckled by replacing the buckled bars and providing continuity to the longitudinal reinforcement. It was found that performance of the retrofitted members was comparable to that using conventional techniques and the performance was generally better than certain “fast” retrofit procedures reported in the literature. The choice of technique depends on the degree of damage, the cost of replacement, and performance required. Having the results of cyclic load tests of rehabilitated concrete members, envelope or backbone curves were obtained following the ASCE41-07 and proposed ASCE41-13 procedures. The backbone curves were used to develop behavioral models that can be used in the analysis and design of those types of concrete members and retrofit procedures. The inclusion of the behavioral models into current Performance Based Seismic Design procedures for strengthening of existing or repaired damaged buildings is proposed.Item Retrofit of deficient lap splice with post-installed anchors(2015-12) Beiter, Katelyn Sean; Bayrak, Oguzhan, 1969-; Hrynyk, Trevor DAs concrete infrastructure ages or is re-purposed, there is an increasing need for efficient retrofit solutions, with deficient lap splices being one of many research areas. A possible method to increase the capacity of deficient lap splices is to use post-installed undercut anchors. These anchors function as active confinement in the splice region, potentially allowing members with inadequate lap splice lengths to reach the required design capacity. The solution presented in this thesis requires access to only one face of the reinforced concrete specimen, which could facilitate implementation on existing structures. However, limited research has been done on the use of post-installed anchors as a retrofit strategy for lap splices, and previous research on the retrofit of deficient lap splices has focused primarily on the use of either carbon fiber or metal jackets. To evaluate the capabilities of this retrofit solution, four large-scale tests on beam specimens have been completed at The University of Texas at Austin. The first specimen tested contained the full lap splice length as required by ACI 318-71 provisions, while in the other three, only half of that lap splice length was provided. The specimen with the full lap splice length was tested as a control specimen and one of the specimens with half the lap splice length was tested without a retrofit to determine baseline behavior. These tests formed the basis to evaluate the effectiveness of the retrofit techniques implemented on the other two specimens. Results from these tests indicated that post-installed anchors could enhance both the strength and ductility of members with deficient lap splices, but the enhanced members demonstrated limited ductility.Item Seismic retrofit of RC columns with FRP composites and anchorage system(2015-05) Psaros Andriopoulos, Apostolos; Jirsa, J. O. (James Otis); Hrynyk, TrevorResearch on the use of composite materials in structural applications started more than 30 years ago but still remains active. The challenges that accompany those applications are diverse and seem to increase as the variety of applications grows. There are several fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems that have been introduced through the years for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Those systems focus on strengthening of slabs, beams and columns. The present study pertains to seismic retrofit of rectangular RC columns. The typical FRP materials used in structural applications are introduced, as well as, how FRP materials become an integral part of the force-resisting system. In addition, analysis work pertaining to a series of strengthened RC columns was conducted and the results were compared to the experimental data. Moreover, deficiencies of typical material models were highlighted. Design guidelines are discussed and recommendations about current design practices are provided. Finally, research gaps and future research recommendations are identified.Item Seismic retrofit of RC columns with FRP composites and anchorage system(2015-05) Psaros Andriopoulos, Apostolos; Jirsa, J. O. (James Otis); Hrynyk, TrevorResearch on the use of composite materials in structural applications started more than 30 years ago but still remains active. The challenges that accompany those applications are diverse and seem to increase as the variety of applications grows. There are several fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems that have been introduced through the years for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Those systems focus on strengthening of slabs, beams and columns. The present study pertains to seismic retrofit of rectangular RC columns. The typical FRP materials used in structural applications are introduced, as well as, how FRP materials become an integral part of the force-resisting system. In addition, analysis work pertaining to a series of strengthened RC columns was conducted and the results were compared to the experimental data. Moreover, deficiencies of typical material models were highlighted. Design guidelines are discussed and recommendations about current design practices are provided. Finally, research gaps and future research recommendations are identified.