Seismic behaviour of RC jacketed columns under different axial loads

This study examines the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns strengthened through a seismic jacket technique developed using a prefabricated steel bar unit that forms peripheral closed hoops and supplementary V ties, satisfying the design requirements of the ACI 318-14 seismic provisions. Three RC jacketed columns were prepared with a parameter of axial load levels and tested under a constant concentric axial load and cyclic lateral loads. Analytical approaches were also applied to examine the axial load–moment interaction of the RC jacketed columns when considering the confinement effect provided by the jacket section and to investigate the applicability of the previous performance-based design models proposed for virgin seismic columns. The test results show that the developed jacket technique possesses a good potential in enhancing the flexural stiffness, strength and ductility of deficient columns, even under a high axial load. Reinforced concrete jacketed columns possess a higher ductility than that estimated using the ductility parameter model, regardless of the axial load level. Thus, the jacket section including the seismic details of a transverse reinforcement can be conservatively designed, based on the axial load–moment interaction and ductility parameter model for the moment and ductility enhancements required by deficient columns.