Experimental Study of FRP Tube-encased Concrete Columns

• Published in: Journal of composite materials 2005-07, Vol.39 (13), p.1131-1145
• Main Authors: Li, Guoqiang, Torres, Sadi, Alaywan, Walid, Abadie, Christopher
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building structure; Buildings. Public works; Composites; Concrete structure; Construction (buildings and works); Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0021-9983; 1530-793X
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998305048743

Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) tube-encased concrete columns (FRP/ECCs) represent a formwork-free, steel-free, and corrosion-resistant alternative for construction of new infrastructure. In this study, twenty-seven φ101.6 × 304.8 mm2FRP/ECCs are prepared. The composite columns are divided into three equal groups. Each group is prepared using concrete with different 28-d compressive strength. The first group is prepared using 35 MPa concrete, the second group using 50 MPa concrete, and the third one using 80 MPa concrete. FRP tubes with 5-mm wall thickness are used, which are filament-wound E-glass fiber-reinforced vinyl ester tubes with fibers orientated at ±54° from the axial direction. Coaxial compression, four-point bending, and push-out tests are conducted. Strain gages are used to monitor the local strain distributions of the FRP tubes. It has been found that the structural behavior of FRP/ECCs depends on the concrete strength. The confinement efficiency and the interfacial bonding strength are low for very high strength concrete.