A study on strengthening of reinforced concrete frames using precast concrete panels

This study describes the effectiveness of the behavior resulting from strengthening infill walls in existing reinforced concrete frame systems with low resistance against earthquake effects using precast concrete panels. In this study, a strengthening method that can be applied without building occupants having to leave the building was investigated. For this purpose, six 1/2 scale, two-story and single span test specimens with brick infill walls and low earthquake resistance, which have common errors seen in existing reinforced concrete buildings, were generated. The first of test frames with equivalent properties was tested as the reference specimen under reversible repeatable lateral loads. Others were tested after high-strength concrete panels produced in different geometric shapes were strengthened by bonding them onto existing frame infill walls. Brick infill walls strengthened using concrete panels were modeled as shell elements by SAP2000 software package and the accuracy of experimental studies were compared with analytical results. Experimental and analytical studies demonstrated that the reinforcement method significantly improved properties, such as resistance to lateral loads, energy dissipation capacity, of brick infill reinforced concrete frames.