The theory of retrofitting steel structure with composite materials/Carbon fiber, the material characteristic, the advantages or disadvantages that we can get. Any idea/document that may help. Thanks.
You can always reinforce a steel column with these materials...main problem I see is protection against fire but if you solve this it should be ok.
I have never done it in real life but I know of some collegues who did with great results. Keep in mind that these reinforcements are quite thin so in rehabilitation is very important.
Here in Sevilla (Spain) architect Fernando Mendoza (National Rehabilitation Award) placed a carbon fiber and resin belt around the Iglesia del Salvador dome...in this case the reinforcement is invisible as it is behind a mortar layer for protection against fire. Dome repaired with an invisible solution = great work!
Carbon is efficient to reinforce concrete. Regarding steel, it is only possible with very high elastic modulus carbon. We made a first test at the Dancourt bridges, for some local reinforcements points only. Principal longitudinal reinforcement is made for these bridges with additional welded elements.
Absolutely my fault. I was thinking about a concrete column, not a steel one... For steel elements reinforcements welding extra steel should be the way to go.