Cyclic behavior of GFRP strengthened infilled RC frames with low and normal strength concrete

This paper presents the experimental behavior of plane, non-strengthened and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) strengthened infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames with low strength concrete (LSC) and normal strength concrete (NSC) under lateral reversed cyclic loading. For this purpose, eight full-scale, one-bay, one-storey plane and infilled (brick and aerated concrete blocks which are commonly used in RC construction) RC frames with LSC and NSC were produced and in-plane lateral loading tests were carried out. Test results indicate that infill walls considerably change the behavior of frames by increasing rigidity and load carrying capacity. By contrast, GFRP fabric used for strengthening of infilled RC frames improves ductility, load carrying and energy dissipation capacity of infilled frames with LSC and NSC as well. After all the test results were evaluated together, a GFRP strengthened brick infilled frame demonstrated the best performance under cyclic lateral loading.