Parametric Analysis of Seismic Performance of RC Columns Strengthened with Steel Wire Mesh

Abstract

By establishing a finite element (FE) model of reinforced concrete (RC) columns strengthened with steel wire mesh, the mechanical properties under low-cyclic loading are analyzed, and the correctness of the FE model is verified. Hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, strain curves, and changes in stiffness and ductility of the strengthened RC columns under various strengthening conditions are calculated in this study by using the FE model to examine the effects of axial compression ratio, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, concrete strength, steel wire quantity, and eccentric compression on the seismic behavior of the strengthened columns. The results show that an increase in axial compression ratio results in an improvement in the ultimate bearing capacity of the strengthened columns by 9%–17% and a reduction in ductility by 9%–15%. In addition, increases in the stirrup ratio, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, concrete strength, and steel wire quantity result in improvement in ultimate bearing capacity, and ductility of the strengthened columns can be improved by 2%–28%. Moreover, an increase in vertical pressure results in rapid development of eccentric, stirrup, and steel wire strains in the strengthened columns, which causes reductions in ultimate bearing capacity in the columns by 2%–13%, energy consumption by 35%, and additional reductions in stiffness and ductility.