Abstract:
The objective of this paper is to report the result of an experimental program conducted on the strengthening of nonductile RC frames by using external mesh reinforcement and plaster composite. The main objective was to test proposed strengthening technique for reinforced concrete buildings, which could be applied with minimum disturbance to the occupants. Generic specimen has two floors and one bay RC frame in ½ scale. Six specimens, two of which were reference specimens and the remaining four of which had deficient steel detailing and poor concrete quality were strengthened and tested under cyclic loading. The parameters of the experimental study are; mesh reinforcement ratio and plaster thickness of the infilled wall. Externally reinforced infill wall composites improve seismic behavior by increasing lateral strength, lateral stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity of reinforced concrete buildings, and limit both structural and nonstructural damages caused by earthquakes.