The seismic performance of end-perforated RC frame beams strengthened with CFRP sheets

Abstract

This paperpresents eight tests on the end-perforated RC frame beams with the different sizes of perforations and arrangement styles of strengthening carbon fibre(CFRP) sheetssubjected to hybrid load-displacement control loading condition. The research focuseson the assessment of beams’ seismic performance. The ultimate load resistance, hysteretic performance, energy dissipation capability, ductility and stiffness degradation of the end-perforated RC frame beams with and without strengthening CFRPsheets have been investigated. The test results show that the beams strengthened with CFRP sheets can effectively improve their seismic performances. The perforation size of abeam has significant influence on itsseismic behaviour. With the increase of hole diameter, the hysteresis performance, energy dissipation capacity and ductility of beams are decreased considerably.