Shape Change and Prestressing of Columns with FRP Composites

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites are widely used for strengthening/rehabilitation of existing structures. It is also known that FRP jackets can provide efficient lateral confinement to concrete columns that can enhance their compressive strength and ultimate axial strain. However, the effectiveness of FRP confinement decreases due the presence of 90 degree corners when compared to rounded corners. In order to increase the effectiveness of FRP confinement in rectangular or square columns a shape modification to elliptical or circular section is necessary. Our invention describes a method of using a prestressed FRP composite to achieve the shape modification and provide confinement.

Benefits
The invention is intended to change the shape of rectangular and square reinforced concrete columns (in buildings and bridges) which were built without seismic details into a more efficient shape with additional confinement with prestressed FRP. This increases the resistance to earthquake-induced or blast-induced forces.

Stage of Development
A PCT patent has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a patent is pending. This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and has been demonstrated to work in proof-of-concept experiments. It is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Additional Info
*http://www.civil.utah.edu/~chris/publications/

Inventor(s): Lawrence Reaveley, Chris Pantelides

Type of Offer: Licensing



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