Enhancing RC shear wall performance against shear failure modes using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites: A comprehensive review

The seismic vulnerabilities observed in reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls have led to extensive research focused on enhancing their seismic performance. Various strengthening methods, including the incorporation of new structural elements such as concrete or steel, have been explored with mixed results. However, the innovative retrofitting technique using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) has gained significant recognition and acceptance due to the unique properties of FRP materials, making them highly suitable for reinforcing and rehabilitating RC shear walls. As the first time, this paper presents a comprehensive review of FRP strengthening techniques for RC shear walls, detailing their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. The literature indicates that horizontal or diagonal FRP strips can substantially increase the shear capacity of RC shear walls. Nonetheless, a critical concern is the potential debonding of FRP strips from the concrete surface in practical applications. Additionally, challenges exist in anchoring FRP and efficiently transferring loads from the FRP strips to the foundation or other structural elements. Finally, this study examines the performance of various anchoring systems in addressing these issues. Finally, the paper summarizes and compares design provisions from different guidelines for shear strengthening RC shear walls using FRP.