RETROFIT METHOD WITH CARBON-FIBER FOR REINFORCED-CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Some existing reinforced concrete structures do not have sufficient se ismic capacity, therefore, various retrofitting techniques are propose d. However, such techniques are not always adequate from the viewpoint of the increase in weight and the maintenance of the function. In ord er to overcome these problems, the authors have developed a new method using carbon fiber, which is a material of high strength, light weigh t and good durability, and recently developed as a 'high-tech' materia l. In this paper, basic properties, application techniques and durabil ity of carbon fiber are introduced. This reinforcing system is more ec onomical than conventional ones, and it has been used to improve the e arthquake resistance of concrete chimneys. This system is also applica ble to reinforcing buildings and freeway piers.