Experimental research on seismic behavior of CFRP-strengthened seismic-damaged exterior joints in composite frame consisting of CFSST columns and steel beams.

In order to study the seismic behavior of CFRP-reinforced seismic-damaged joints in composite frame consisting of concrete-filled square steel tubular (CFSST) columns and steel beams, four one half scaled models of exterior joints in composite frame consisting of CFSST columns and steel beams were designed and manufactured. The test consisted of pre-damage loading, rehabilitation with CFRP and destruction tests under lateral cyclic loading. The effectiveness of CFRP-strengthened seismic-damaged joints and the reinforcement effect on different levels of seismic damage were studied. Based on the test data, the hysteretic loops, skeleton curves, the CFRP strain, ductility, dissipative ability, ultimate strength and stiffness degradation, etc. were obtained. Results show that CFRP-strengthened seismic-damaged exterior joints in composite frame consisting of CFSST columns and steel beams meets the strong column-weak beam requirement of seismic design, and the failure modes of all joints are bending failure of beam. The reinforcement with CFRP has a significant on increasing the ultimate capacity and the seismic behaviors of the joints. The study indicates the rehabilitated joints can reach or even exceed the level of their original seismic performances before seismic damage in a certain extent of damage level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]