Analysis and behaviour of FRP-confined short concrete columns subjected to eccentric loading

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites were widely utilized in civil engineering structures as the retrofit of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. To design FRP jackets safely and economically, the behaviour of such columns should be predicted first. This paper is concerned with the analysis and behaviour of FRP-confined RC circular and rectangular short columns subjected to eccentric loading. A simple design-oriented stress-strain model for FRP-confined concrete in a section analysis was first proposed. The accuracy was then proved by two test data. Following that, a parametric study including amount of FRP confinement, FRP strain capacity, unconfined concrete strength and shape of column section is provided. Some conclusions were obtained at the end of the paper. The work here will provide a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of FRP-confined concrete columns. The simplicity of the model also enables a simple equivalent stress block to be developed for direct use in practical design. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.