Evaluation of hybrid NSM-CFRP technical bars and FRP sheets for seismic rehabilitation of a concrete bridge pier

Seismic retrofit is a cost-effective and sustainable solution for improving bridge structures in seismic zones. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is commonly used to replace steel components in retrofit projects due to their light weight, high strength, and high corrosion resistance. The fabrication of novel hybrid structures from FRP and concrete is the next step researchers are addressing. In this context, the present study focuses on numerical modeling of the experimentally determined response of a hybrid FRP and concrete bridge pier subjected to quasi-static tests. The results from FEM showed strong agreement with the experimental response in terms of load-displacement curve and failure mode. After validating the model, alternative designs (changing the height of the CFRP slab, changing the height and compaction of the CFRP bar, and concrete encasement with and without CFRP slab) were numerically tested to investigate the effects of each model on the load capacity. With the conventional concrete encasement, the bearing capacity of the bridge pier can be rehabilitated, but with the CFRP plate in the above system, the bearing capacity of the bridge pier is increased by more than 60%. Therefore, it can be concluded that seismic strengthening techniques with CFRP sheets and mounted NSM-CFRP bars are suitable for concrete bridge piers.