Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Columns

Built in the 1980s, the heavy industrial plant underwent a significant increase in equipment load due to upgraded production processes. The original reinforced concrete columns no longer met current code requirements for load-bearing capacity and ductility. Structural testing revealed issues such as concrete carbonation and rebar corrosion in some columns, which, without reinforcement, would compromise the plant's safe operation. To ensure production safety and avoid large-scale demolition and reconstruction, the project team employed steel jacketing technology to reinforce the reinforced concrete columns.

By reinforcing with steel jackets, the axial compressive bearing capacity of the original reinforced concrete column is increased by about 40%, and its ductility (manifested as the column's deformation capacity) is increased by about 50%, effectively enhancing the column's bearing capacity and deformation capacity under vertical loads and horizontal seismic action.