This great disaster in our country once again revealed how important the durability and safety of the building is. After the earthquake, damage to many buildings in the region did not only lead to the destruction of buildings; it also caused serious damage to the columns of the surviving structures.
For this reason, the importance of column strengthening methods has emerged once again. So, what are these colon strengthening methods, how are they done?
In our country, which is located in an earthquake zone, high-risk buildings need to be checked frequently and strengthened with various methods.
One of these methods is the column strengthening method. This method is especially used when old buildings or structures need to be made stronger.
Columns are the most important parts to be considered as they are the basic building blocks of buildings. The durability of columns used for many years may decrease due to environmental factors, natural disasters and structural faults they are exposed to.
In this case, damage to the columns may occur or deformations that threaten the structural integrity may occur. Therefore, column reinforcement is a method that should be used not only in old buildings but also in every building that is being built or will be built.
In order to choose the appropriate method for column reinforcement, first of all, the condition of the structure and the columns should be examined.
While examining, the dimensions of the columns, their load capacities, cracks, corrosion and similar damage conditions are taken into consideration. In other words, the dimensions of the columns, the age of the building and its structural features play an active role in choosing one of the column reinforcement methods.
The process varies according to the chosen reinforcement method, the scope of the work and the condition of the columns.
The reinforcement process usually begins with the removal of concrete or other materials on the columns.
Then, materials suitable for one of the reinforced concrete reinforcement, steel reinforcement or carbon fiber reinforcement methods to be applied are selected. These materials include things like carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP), steel sheets or wire mesh.
Each method is done with different techniques. In the reinforced concrete reinforcement method, the technique generally works as follows; The troubled areas of the existing column are cleaned, iron bars are built around it, the formwork is removed and a new column is built. To put it in simpler terms; In this method, a new column reinforced with iron is built on top of the old column.
Steel reinforcement, which is more costly than reinforced concrete, is generally preferred to strengthen its load-bearing power. In this method, L-shaped irons called corners are placed at the four corners of the column. Resins are filled in the gaps between the corners and the existing column, and the column and iron are fused together.
Another method used to strengthen the columns is carbon fiber reinforcement. This method is done by wrapping the column with polymer FRP fabric. This method, which stands out as being fast and practical, provides a high-tensile support that increases the durability of the column.
After the last earthquake disaster in our country, while a building reinforced with carbon fiber (carbon fiber) method remained standing, the building next to it was destroyed.
To explain the colon strengthening method in a simpler way, the process proceeds exactly with these steps:
- After determining the structure, size, strength of the column and how much it needs to be strengthened, the appropriate method is decided and the process begins.
- The perimeter of the column is cleaned, depending on the situation, the problematic part is broken or the surface of the column is completely shaved.
- According to the chosen method, suitable materials are placed around the column or a new column is built.
- After the processes are finished, the concrete is properly surfaced, painted and left to dry.
In addition, by examining the methods and technologies we have mentioned in detail in our articles below, you can become more conscious about these issues and choose the most suitable method for your building.
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