Unbonded CFRP strengthening method for buckling control of steel members

摘要

This paper proposed a concept of unbonded CFRP strengthening method for buckling control of axial compression steel members. Totally eight steel bar specimens, with slenderness ratio of 70 and 95, were tested for initial investigation purpose. The requirements for CFRP were derived from analytical study. A technique of Vacuum-assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VaRTM) was adopted to mold the CFRP to obtain zero clearance between CFRP and steel. Experimental results showed that unbonded CFRP strengthening delayed buckling and increased the axial capacity of steel members. A change in curvature was also confirmed for all strengthened members without any crushing on CFRP. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.