Finite Element Evaluation of RC Frames Strengthened with FRPs under Fire and Lateral Loads

Abstract

Reinforced concrete is one of the most common structures in the world. These structures may be under extreme loading conditions such as earthquake or they may confront with other flooding, impact or even the fire load. In the term of fire load, RC structures are very sensitive and due to the brittle behavior, the fast collapsing happens. In this research, two experimental setups are validated: (1) RC frame and (2) RC column. The Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame is modeled using finite element ABAQUS software and validated with experimental program. The RC frame validation is subjected to lateral and vertical loads. On the other side, RC column is also modeled and validated using ABAQUS software. The RC column is subjected to fire load. The results of validations show that the simulation techniques are accurate to perform the further investigation. The RC frames are retrofitted by FRP sheets and reinforced using steel or FRP bars. The angle of FRP sheets is both convergent and divergent. The fire is applied at the inside surface of the frame by 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000°C and lateral displacement-control load is considered, concurrently. Force-displacement diagrams have been evaluated to check the load capacity, ductility, stiffness, seismic factor and crack propagations. The results show that using FRP has better performance at the lower fire temperature.