ABSTRACT
This paper presents the results of a pilot research project on the use of polymer composites and high-strength adhesives for structural repair of damaged steel frame connections. Several steel interior connections were tested under cyclic load to generate information on the energy dissipation capabilities of the different proposed repair techniques. The primary repair system developed in this consists of 3-D braided graphite/epoxy composite connectors attached to the flanges of both beams and columns by adhesives or bolts and both bolted and adhesively-bonded conventional steel stiffeners. Four connection repair details were investigated; i) high-strength/high-toughness adhesively bonded composite stiffeners, and ii) mechanically fastened composite stiffeners, iii) Adhesively-bonded steel stiffeners, and iv) bolted steel stiffeners. The results of the different repair specimens were compared to those obtained from the control welded connection specimens. The control specimens were fully welded and were built according to AISC specifications. In addition, initial results of an on-going linear and non-linear numerical analysis study on the seismic performance of these repair details are reported.
