Abstract
Proposed in this paper is a seismic retrofitting method utilizing carbon fiber reinforced plastic sheets for circular columns in existing steel bridge piers. The method can be considered to be practical and convenient in retrofitting works compared with other current retrofitting methods. In the method, a circular column is wrapped with CFRP sheets of extremely high tensile performance. The validity of the proposed method is investigated through a bending test, compression test and cyclic loading test. It is concluded that the proposed method can control and improve the ductility capacity of the column without increasing its flexural stiffness and ultimate strength. Applications of the method are also discussed.
