Concrete Strength Enhancement due to High‐Performance Fibre‐Reinforced Concrete Jacketing Solution

Abstract High‐Performance Fibre‐Reinforced Concrete (HPFRC) jacketing technique provides a sustainable solution to the constantly growing infrastructure degradation. This paper investigates the effect of HPFRC jacketing solution on strength enhancement of plain concrete. The experimental work included 23 samples, 15 of which were jacketed with HPFRC, and the remaining 8 were used to measure the unconfined strength. The key parameters were jacket thickness (25 mm, 35 mm, and 45 mm) and pre‐damage level (40% and 80%). The results show that jacketed columns exhibit a ductile behaviour. It is found that a 25 mm HPFRC jacket increases the compressive strength by 31%. Moreover, increasing the jacket thickness further enhances the compressive strength. However, the enhancement rate gradually decreases with increasing the jacket thickness. The results from sensor technology used on each concrete layer revealed that the lateral strain of jacketed concrete at a given axial strain was greater than that of unjacketed concrete, indicating an increased rate of dilation for the jacketed concrete. The results show that strengthening of existing columns at their mid‐service life (i.e., 40% pre‐damaged) is as effective as strengthening of new columns. The obtained knowledge suggests that HPFRC jacketing solution has a great potential to revolutionise infrastructure rehabilitation techniques.