Hybrid Jacketing for Rapid Repair of Seismically Damaged Reinforced Concrete Columns

This study proposes hybrid jacketing for rapid repair of seismically damaged concrete columns for bridge safety. The hybrid jacketing for a reinforced concrete (RC) column is composed of a thin cold-formed steel sheet wrapped around the column and its outside prestressing strands. Although the prestressing strands can prevent buckling of the confining steel sheet, the steel sheet can in turn prevent the prestressing strands from cutting into the concrete. The hybrid jacketing concept was validated with testing of a large-scale RC column with lap splice deficiency typical of pre-1970 bridge constructions in the Central United States. Results from the original and repaired columns were compared for hysteresis loops, strength, stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation. The hybrid jacketing proved to be effective in restoring structural behavior of the damaged column to prevent bridge collapse. Such a cost-effective solution can be implemented at bridge sites in hours. Design equations to establish the lateral force–displacement relationship of the tested column to design the hybrid jacket are derived in detail.