The Faculty of Graduate Studies awarded the researcher Yazan Abu Tahnat a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering in response to his thesis entitled “Effect of Using Fiber Reinforced Polymers on the Ductility of Retrofitted Reinforced Concrete Joint”.

Reinforced concrete structures are common in Palestine. One considerable weakness point in these structures is the connection between beams and columns. Several researchers showed that reinforced concrete joints suffer brittle failure due to combined effect of loading on the joints. Therefore, the ductility of the beam-column joints in reinforced concrete structures is an essential factor to prevent sudden failure of the joint. Different techniques were adapted by several researchers to increase the ductility and strength of beam-column joints including the use of high strength concrete, special stirrups and reinforcement configuration, steel plates and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP).

One way to improve the ductility of such joints is the use of sheet wraps of FRP. This research focuses on studying the effect of using FRP sheets mounted on exterior RC beam-column joints. Finite Element (F.E) analysis using available commercial FE software (ABAQUS) is used to investigate the ductility behavior of RC joints strengthened by FRP. The model is validated using available published test data. This model is used to conduct a parametric study on the key parameters that affect joints nonlinear behavior. Results are used to develop simple conceptual equations to predict the ductility of exterior beam-column joints as a function of the applied FRP. Such an equation can be used as an initial conceptual design step for checking the adequacy of RC beam-column joints in seismic design of RC buildings.

The committee consisted of: Dr. Mahmoud Dweikat as a main supervisor and Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Samaneh as a second supervisor, Dr. Belal Al-Masri as an external examiner and Dr. Munther Dweikat as an internal examiner.

At the end of the session, the committee approved the success of the researcher and recommended him a Master’s degree.