Experimental investigation of square RC column strengthened with near surface mounted GFRP bars subjected to axial and cyclic lateral loads

This article is intended to highlight the eectiveness of longitudinal glassfiber reinforced polymer (gfrp) bars in combination with gfrp sheets on the exuralcapacity of reinforced concrete (rc) columns. seven half-scale rc columns including vestrengthened and two control unstrengthened specimens were experimentally tested underaxial and cyclic lateral loads. the strengthened columns with two dierent longitudinalgfrp bar ratios were tested under three dierent axial load levels. the exural strengthand ductility parameters of the specimens were calculated by obtaining their deformationsand measuring the loads from load cells. the experimental results indicate signicantincrease in the exural strength of the rc specimens. the results of this study can bereliably utilized to enhance the exural strength of rc columns in the regions with highseismicity.