Concrete laterally confined with fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP): experimental study and theoretical model

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an experimental and analytical study of concrete cylinder behaviour when wrapped in fibreglass or carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP). Compression testing was conducted on normal (30 MPa) and high (70 MPa) strength confined and unconfined concrete cylinders measuring 150 x 300 mm. The stress-strain relationship was evaluated in both cases. The findings showed that strength and ductility rose with FRP confinement. The experimental findings were used to develop an analytical model for predicting the stress-strain behaviour of FRP-confined concrete. A comparison of the experimental and analytical results revealed that the model can satisfactorily predict the stress-strain behaviour and ultimate compressive strength of the concretes studied.

Keywords

• compressive strength
• confinement
• stressstrain relationship
• confinement model