Finite Element Analysis of CFRP Strengthened Bundle RC Column Subjected to Repeated Impact Load

Abstract

This paper studied numerically the behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) confined bundle reinforced concrete (BRC) columns subjected to repeated impact load. To verify the numerical models with previous experimental tests, Abaqus/Explicit based nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed. Based on the proposed FE analysis, a parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of different factors such as CFRP confinement, eccentric axial load, bundle reinforcement arrangement, and column height on repeated impact capacity of RC column. While modeling the structural element, concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model is adopted to account for the plastic and strain rate-dependent behaviors of concrete material under impact load. From the nonlinear FE analysis result, it was found that CFRP confinement improved the impact capacity of bundle reinforced concrete column. As column height increased, the column impact resistance was found to decrease. Moreover, when the CFRP strengthened BRC column specimens were repeatedly impacted, the continuous matrix material was severely damaged, while the fiber showed only minor and gradual compressive failures.