Seismic strengthening of rigid steel frame with CFRP

Steel frames are a very popular choice in building construction and are used extensively in high seismic risk regions across the world. These existing and future constructed steel frames may need to undergo seismic strengthening to mitigate the high collapse risk during possible earthquakes in the future. In this study a finite element (FE) model was developed, analysed and the results compared with the present self-performed experimental study using shake table tests of steel frames strengthened with externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) composites to validate the modelling techniques. The validated modelling technique are then used for a comprehensive parametric study on the effects of frequency of excitation, maximum acceleration, modulus of CFRP, thickness of CFRP, number of CFRP layers and adhesive type on the seismic response of the frame structure. The results indicate that externally bonded CFRP strengthening is very effective for seismic strengthening of steel frames. The CFRP strengthening technique reduced the lateral deflection by improving the stiffness and energy absorption capacity of the steel frames