Design procedure of GFRP-infill panels to improve the strength of steel-frame structures

Abstract

A design procedure of GFRP-infill panels (GIPs) was proposed for use in steel-frame structures. The design goal for these panels was to increase the strength of the steel-frame structures. The GIP was composed of a GFRP plate and a stiffener, in which the cross-sectional shape was assumed to be a box. Each GIP was intended to strengthen the existing steel frame and to provide emergency support for damaged steel frames under seismic loads. To achieve these goals, separate types of GIPs were made, that also provided easy transportation and construction. In this study, GIPs were designed and fabricated using the proposed design procedure. The maximum strength obtained in the experiments corresponded to the expected design strength. It was demonstrated that the proposed design procedure for GIPs could be used to improve the performance of infill-frame structures. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.