Collapse risk assessment of CERP-repaired earthquake-damaged RC columns using hybrid simulation

Hybrid simulation combines computer simulations with experimental testing to provide a powerful platform for large-scale experimental investigation of the seismic response of structures through collapse. This paper presents an application of hybrid simulation for tracing the seismic response of a limited-ductility reinforced-concrete (RC) column through collapse and evaluating the capability of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) repair on rehabilitating the damaged column to its initial collapse resistance capacity. A state-of-the-art hybrid testing facility, referred to as a multi-axis substructure testing (MAST) system, was used to simulate complex time-varying six-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) boundary effects on the physical specimens using mixed load/deformation modes. Based on the experimental results, a comparative collapse risk assessment of the initial and repaired column was conducted, which illustrates the effectiveness of using CFRP-repair to restore and improve the collapse resistance of earthquake-damaged RC structures.