Strengthening of Damaged RC Column Using Lateral Compression

— The objective of this paper is to present a new method for strengthening of RC column in a multi storey high rise building specifically for the splitting cracks at top of the column arisen due to cranks in the main rebar. The lateral compression force equal to split tensile strength of concrete 3.2 Mpa in the concrete grade of C32/40 was applied. External steel angles with steel rods were used to impart a lateral compression force on the RC columns using hydraulic jacks. This gain in the flexural strength is due to the confinement effect imparted on the concrete externally. The RC column was modelled in the 3D and FEM analysis was done to check the imparted stresses onto the steel angles and concrete. This method can effectively be used for the RC columns in the industry as it requires clamping of RC columns externally which can be achieved on site with ease.