Evaluation of vulnerable reinforced concrete frames retrofitted with pre-loaded thin panels

Interaction between a panel and its boundary frame has to be sufficient when vulnerable reinforced concrete (RC) frames are retrofitted with thin RC panels. This affects the transfer mechanism of the lateral forces in the overall system. In this experimental study; a bare RC frame retrofitted with a pre-loaded thin RC panel is tested under lateral reversed cycling loads. Overall response of this frame is investigated. To assess the effect of the pre-loaded panel on the behaviour of the RC frame, the results are compared with the one retrofitted with a non-loaded panel. The experimental study shows that for the chosen pre-load level the lateral load carrying capacity of the frame has increased slightly and no significant effect is observed about failure mode of the system.