Performance Evaluation of Jacketing Technique for Strength Enhancement of Damaged RCC Columns

Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) has been widely used as a construction material globally for the past century, and in India, its utilization has significantly increased over the last 50–60 years. During this period, a large number of infrastructural assets, including bridges, buildings, and stadiums, have been constructed, serving as lifelines for society. However, RCC structural elements are often subjected to damage during their service life due to overloading, faulty design, poor workmanship, chemical attacks, and adverse environmental conditions. Repairing and rehabilitating such damaged structures without demolition is crucial for extending their service life and ensuring safety. This study investigates the strengthening of damaged RCC columns using jacketing techniques, incorporating both mineral admixtures (silica fume) and chemical admixtures. Silica fume, used as a supplementary cementation’s material at 25 % replacement by weight of cement, was incorporated into the concrete mix to enhance mechanical properties and durability. Concrete specimens were cast and tested to evaluate compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength, and the results were compared with conventional concrete. Additionally, non-destructive testing (NDT) was performed on structural elements before and after rehabilitation to assess the effectiveness of the strengthening methods. The results indicate that the inclusion of silica fume significantly improves the mechanical performance of the concrete on Cubes, cylinders and prisms. While the jacketing techniques effectively restore the structural capacity of damaged RCC members. This research demonstrates a practical and economical approach for the repair, retrofitting, and rehabilitation of RCC structures, ensuring enhanced durability and service life without the need for demolition.