Seismic Performance of Damaged Code-Conforming RC Columns Repaired with Sustainable Structural Mortar

Examining the seismic performance of damaged reinforced concrete (RC) structures after repair applications is vital for an effective post-earthquake disaster management policy. However, the number of experimental studies investigating the seismic behavior of repaired RC members is insufficient, especially for structural members that have endured slight or moderate level damages. In this study, four identical large-scale code-conforming RC columns were tested under combined effects of axial load and reversed cyclic lateral displacements. The reference column was tested until failure, while the remaining three columns were first imposed to lateral displacements until the formation of damages at different levels, then repaired with structural repair mortar that contains recycled raw materials without removing axial load and tested again until failure. The primary objectives of the experimental program are to enhance the knowledge on the post-earthquake performance of damaged RC columns and to investigate the effects of repair applications after slight and moderate damage levels. This paper provides details on the effectiveness of the aforementioned repair technique on the seismic performance of code-complying RC columns damaged at different damage levels.