Published on: February 2026
SEISMIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES RETROFITTED WITH FRP COMPOSITES
Neha S. Kulkarni
Dr. Nitin R. Chavan
Pinnacle Institute of Engineering & Technology
Article Status
Available Documents
Abstract
Reinforced concrete (RC) structures form the backbone of modern infrastructure due to their robustness, durability, and versatility. However, in seismically active regions, traditional RC buildings often suffer severe damage due to inadequate ductility, poor detailing, and aging construction practices. Over the past few decades, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have emerged as an effective retrofitting solution to enhance the seismic performance of existing RC structures. FRP materials offer high strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, ease of installation, and minimal architectural disruption, making them ideal for seismic strengthening applications.
This research article presents a comprehensive assessment of the seismic performance of RC structures retrofitted with FRP composites. It synthesizes existing literature, outlines the fundamental requirements and design methodologies, discusses system implementation strategies, and evaluates seismic testing outcomes. The article also highlights critical performance indicators such as energy dissipation, stiffness retention, inter-story drift reduction, and failure modes. Findings indicate that FRP retrofitting significantly improves structural behavior under seismic loading, provided that design and implementation follow best practices. Finally, the article identifies key challenges and future research trends in FRP-based seismic retrofitting.
The effectiveness of FRP composites depends on factors such as material selection, bonding techniques, and the quality of surface preparation. Proper detailing and anchorage are essential to ensure the durability and reliability of the retrofit under cyclic seismic loads. Additionally, integrating monitoring systems can enhance the assessment of structural health and guide maintenance strategies post-retrofitting.
How to Cite this Paper
Kulkarni, N. S. (2026). Seismic Performance Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Structures Retrofitted with FRP Composites. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(02), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i2.001
Kulkarni, Neha. "Seismic Performance Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Structures Retrofitted with FRP Composites." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 02, 2026, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i2.001.
Kulkarni, Neha. "Seismic Performance Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Structures Retrofitted with FRP Composites." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 02 (2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i2.001.
References
1. RESERCH RESEARCH PAPER ON ACI Committee 440. “Guide for the Design and Construction of Externally Bonded FRP Systems for Strengthening Concrete Structures,” ACI 440.2R-17.
2. Priestley, M. J. N., et al. “Seismic Design and Retrofit of Bridges,” John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
3. Teng, J. G., et al. “Structural Retrofitting Using Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites,” Wiley, 2002.
4. Moghaddam, A., et al. “Seismic Retrofit of Reinforced Concrete Columns with FRP Composites: State-of-the-Art,” Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE.
5. Lu, X. Z., and Teng, J. G. “Design-Oriented Stress–Strain Model for FRP-Confined Concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, 2003.
6. Kabashi, N., Muhaxheri, M., Krasniqi, E., Murati, Y., & Latifi, F. (2025). Advancements in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Retrofitting Techniques for Seismic Resilience of Reinforced Concrete Structures. Buildings, 15(4), 587. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040587
7. Fahmy, M. F. M., Wu, Z., & Wu, G. (2009). Seismic Performance Assessment of Damage-Controlled FRP-Retrofitted RC Bridge Columns Using Residual Deformations. Journal of Composites for Construction, 13(6), 498–513. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000046
8. Akguzel, U., & Pampanin, S. (2012). Assessment and Design Procedure for the Seismic Retrofit of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joints using FRP Composite Materials. Journal of Composites for Construction, 16(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000242
9. Di Ludovico, M., Manfredi, G., Mola, E., Negro, P., & Prota, A. (2008). Seismic Behavior of a Full-Scale RC Structure Retrofitted Using GFRP Laminates. Journal of Structural Engineering, 134(5), 810–821. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9445(2008)134:5(810)
10. Alhaddad, M. S., Siddiqui, N. A., Abadel, A. A., Alsayed, S. H., & Al-Salloum, Y. A. (2011). Numerical Investigations on the Seismic Behavior of FRP and TRM Upgraded RC Exterior Beam-Column Joints. Journal of Composites for Construction, 16(3), 308–321. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000265
Ethical Compliance & Review Process
- •All submissions are screened under plagiarism detection.
- •Review follows editorial policy.
- •Authors retain copyright.
- •Peer Review Type: Double-Blind Peer Review
- •Published on: Feb 02 2026
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. You are free to share and adapt this work for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution.

