External reinforcement of high strength concrete columns

With the technology development on the compressive strength of concrete over the years, the use of high strength concrete has proved most popular in terms of economy, superior strength, stiffness and durability due to many advantages it could offer. However, strength and ductility are inversely proportional [J. Mater. Civil Eng. 11 (1999) 21]. High strength concrete is a brittle material causing failure to be quite sudden and ‘explosive' under loads. It is also known that structural concrete columns axially compressed rarely occur in practice. The stress concentrations caused by the eccentric loading further reduce the strength and ductility of high strength concrete. Therefore, studies for high strength concrete columns under eccentric loading are essential for the practical use.

This paper experimentally investigates a number of high strength concrete columns that are externally reinforced with galvanised steel straps and fibre-reinforced polymers subjected to concentric and eccentric loading. The experimental results show that external reinforcement can enhance the properties of high strength concrete columns.     

The behaviour of FRP wrapped HSC columns under different eccentric loads

The majority of columns are subjected to a combination of an axial load and a bending moment in one or two directions. With a few exceptions, most of the research in the area of FRP wrapped columns have concentrated on the behaviour of concentrically loaded columns. This paper presents results of testing nine reinforced high strength concrete columns. The column specimens are circular in shape with 205 mm diameter and 925 mm height. Concrete compressive strength was 65 MPa. All columns were reinforced with steel. Three columns were not wrapped, three columns were wrapped with three layers of carbon FRP and three columns were wrapped with three layers of E-Glass FRP. From each of the three groups, one column was tested concentrically, one column was tested with a 25 mm eccentric load and one column was tested with a 50 mm eccentric load. Results of testing the columns have shown that the carbon FRP is most effective in increasing the strength and ductility of columns.     

FRP confined concrete columns: Behaviour under extreme conditions

The behaviour of concrete columns wrapped with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials when exposed to several extreme conditions is evaluated. Cold regions environments, FRP repair of corroding reinforced concrete columns, and fire resistance are all considered. For the cold regions exposure, FRP wrapped cylinders (152 × 305 mm) are exposed to temperatures as low as −40 °C or to up to 300 cycles of freeze-thaw (−18 °C to +15 °C). The combination of freeze-thaw exposure with sustained loading is also examined. For FRP wrapping of corroding reinforced concrete columns, the results of tests on cylinders and larger-scale circular columns (300 × 1200 mm) are presented. The specimens are corroded and then wrapped with FRP sheets. The rate of corrosion is monitored both before and after wrapping. The final extreme condition that is considered is fire exposure. Tests on full-scale reinforced concrete columns (400 × 3800 mm) exposed to a standard fire are described and discussed. Overall, the results demonstrate that FRP confined concrete columns tested in concentric axial compression have adequate performance under several extreme conditions such as low temperature, freeze-thaw action, corrosion of internal reinforcement, and fire exposure.     

Behavior of corrosion-damaged RC columns wrapped with FRP under combined flexural and axial loading

This paper presents the results of a research program aimed at investigating the effectiveness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) to upgrade corrosion-damaged eccentrically loaded reinforced concrete (RC) columns. A total of 16 square RC columns with end corbels were constructed. Test specimen had an overall length of 1200 mm whereas each end corbel had a cross section of and a length of 350 mm. The specimen in the test region was having longitudinal steel ratio of 1.9%. The damaged specimens were exposed to 30 days of accelerated corrosion that corresponded to a steel mass loss of about 4.25%. The main test parameters were the CFRP repair scheme (no wrapping, full-wrapping, and partial-wrapping) and the eccentricity-to-section height (e/h) ratio (0.3, 0.43, 0.57, and 0.86). The strength of the damaged columns fully wrapped with CFRP was up to 40% higher than that of the control undamaged columns. The strength gain was inversely proportional to the eccentricity ratio. Partial CFRP-wrapping was 8% less effective than full CFRP-wrapping at nominal e/h of 0.3. At higher e/h values, the confinement level had a negligible effect on the columns’ strength. An analytical model was then proposed to predict the columns’ strength under eccentric loading. A comparative analysis between predicted and experimental results demonstrated the model’s accuracy and reliability.     

Cross sectional shape effects on the performance of post-heated reinforced concrete columns wrapped with FRP composites

An experimental study was conducted to examine how the cross sectional shape affects the strength and ductility of post-heated reinforced concrete columns wrapped with unidirectional fibre reinforced polymer (FRP). Seventeen columns were tested under axial compression. The main variables investigated were the cross sectional shape of the columns, the presence of heat damage and the type of FRP used for repair. The columns were placed into three groups defined by columns without being subjected to heat, post-heated columns and post-heated and repaired columns. The test results showed that the load carrying capacity of post-heated FRP wrapped columns was significantly affected by the column’s original cross sectional shape. For circular sections the strength of post-heated columns was restored up to, or greater than, its original pre-heated strength. However, the strength of post-heated GFRP or CFRP wrapped square columns was recovered to some extent but not to the level of its original pre-heated strength. It was also found that the increase in the ductility of circular columns was more pronounced compared to square columns after wrapping with FRP. For all damaged columns the use of FRP did not restore the column’s stiffness which was lost due to damage caused by heating.     

A simplified method to obtain time-dependent curvatures and deflections of concrete members reinforced with FRP bars

The design of concrete beams reinforced with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is often governed by the serviceability limit state, in which deflections play an important role. One of the most straightforward and easiest methods for calculating time-dependent deflections is based on applying multiplicative coefficients to instantaneous deflections. These methods have been adopted by ACI.440.1R-06 and CSA-S806-02 for FRP reinforced concrete structures (RCS), introducing slight modifications with respect to steel reinforced concrete members. However, the influence of different material mechanical properties and environmental conditions are not accounted for properly. In this paper, a new method based on a simplified coefficient for the prediction of time-dependent deflections is presented. The influence of variations in environmental conditions and the mechanical properties of the materials are taken into account. The numerical predictions obtained are compared to other models available in the literature and experimental results to validate the accuracy and suitability of the methodology presented.     

Axial stress–strain relationship for FRP confined circular and rectangular concrete columns

A general mathematical model is developed to describe the stress–strain (f_c–ε_c) relationship of FRP confined concrete. The relationship is applicable to both circular and rectangular columns, and accounts for the main parameters that influence the stress–strain response. These include the area and material properties of the external FRP wraps, the aspect ratio of rectangular column sections, the corner radius used for FRP application, and the volumetric ratio and configuration of internal transverse steel. The proposed model reproduced accurately experimental results of stress–strain or load–deformation response of circular and rectangular columns. In addition to its importance in evaluating the effect of FRP confinement on the ultimate axial strength of concrete columns, the developed f_c–ε_c relationship can be employed very efficiently and effectively for analyzing the response of FRP confined concrete under different types of load application.     

Evaluation of corrosion activity in FRP repaired RC beams

This paper presents the results of an experimental study to evaluate the corrosion activity in reinforced concrete beams repaired with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. Ten beam specimens (152 × 254 × 3200 mm) were constructed. One specimen was neither strengthened nor corroded to serve as a reference. Three specimens were corroded and not repaired. The remaining six beams were corroded and repaired with FRP sheets. The FRP sheets were applied after the main reinforcing bars were corroded to a 5.5% mass loss. Following the FRP repair, some specimens were subjected to further corrosion to investigate their post-repair performance. The corrosion activity was evaluated using non-destructive and destructive techniques. The non-destructive techniques included half-cell potential measurements. The destructive techniques included evaluation of the mass loss of the main reinforcing bars. The experimental results showed that the corrosion potential decreased with the progress of corrosion, and the FRP repair caused a higher rate of decrease in the corrosion potential with time than that observed when FRP was not provided. Results showed that mass loss of the main reinforcing bars due to corrosion was reduced by up to 16% because of FRP repair.     

Comparative behaviour of hollow columns confined with FRP composites

Confining columns with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been investigated in the last few decades to address the problem of upgrading and retrofitting reinforced concrete (RC) columns; however, most studies have concentrated on solid columns. This paper investigates the comparative behaviour of FRP confined hollow RC columns subjected to concentric loading. A total of twelve RC columns made from high strength concrete (HSC) were cast and tested. Six of the columns had a circular cross section (two solid columns, two hollow columns each having a circular hole, and two hollow columns each having a square hole) and the remainder columns had a square cross section (two solid columns, two hollow columns each having a circular hole, and two hollow columns each having a square hole). Six columns in total, three from each configuration were left unconfined as control specimens, while the others were confined with FRP. It was found that FRP confinement increased hollow RC columns’ axial load and ductility capacities; and hollow columns having circular holes had better performance compared to hollow columns having square holes.     

Seismic strengthening of shear critical post-heated circular concrete columns wrapped with FRP composite jackets

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the seismic performance of post-heated circular reinforced concrete columns wrapped with glass or carbon fibre reinforced polymer jackets. Eight shear critical reinforced circular columns with a shear span-to-depth ratio of 2.5 were tested under a combined constant axial and cyclic lateral displacement history, simulating earthquake loading. The columns were tested in three groups, unheated, post-heated and post-heated repaired with either glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) or carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). In terms of seismic performance the test results indicated that using GFRP or CFRP jackets significantly increased the shear capacity, ductility and energy dissipation of the post-heated damaged columns. However, the GFRP or CFRP did not increase the stiffness of the post-heated damaged columns. It was found that the unheated and post-heated damaged columns failed in a brittle shear mode while the mode of failure of posted-heated columns repaired with GFRP or CFRP was successfully shifted from a shear to a ductile flexural failure.     

Analysis of FRP confined columns under eccentric loading

A new model for FRP confined concrete columns is applied for eccentrically loaded circular and centrically loaded rectangular cross-sections. A good agreement was found between the calculations and both our own experimental data and those found in the literature. The shortcomings of the existing models are demonstrated. Based on our calculations a simplified model is also developed.     

Post-repair performance of eccentrically loaded RC columns wrapped with CFRP composites

This paper presents the results of a research program for examining the post-repair performance of eccentrically loaded corrosion-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) columns wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The specimens, except a control undamaged group, were initially exposed to accelerated corrosion for 30 days using an impressed current technique. Following the initial corrosion, the damaged specimens were either repaired with full or partial CFRP wrapping systems or kept unrepaired. A group from the damaged specimens were further exposed to 60 days of corrosion exposure. All specimens were tested to failure under various eccentric loading with a nominal eccentricity-to-section height ratio (e/h) in the range of 0.3–0.86. Test results showed that full CFRP wrapping system effectively reduced the post-repair corrosion rate relative to that of the unwrapped specimens whereas partial CFRP wrapping had almost no effect on the steel mass loss. The strengths of the damaged specimens fully wrapped with CFRP were higher than those of the control specimens at the end of the post-repair corrosion phase. The strengths of the damaged partially wrapped specimens were higher than those of the control at nominal e/h values 0.43. At higher e/h values, the strengths of the partially wrapped specimens were lower than those of the control but still higher than those of the damaged unrepaired specimens. An analytical model that accounts for the confinement effect of the CFRP and the change in geometry under eccentric loading was employed to predict the columns’ strength. The model’s predictions were validated against test results.     

Experimental study and code predictions of fibre reinforced polymer reinforced concrete (FRP RC) tensile members

Due to their different mechanical properties, cracking and deformability behaviour of FRP reinforced concrete (FRP RC) members is quite different from traditional steel reinforced concrete (SRC) having great incidence on their serviceability design. This paper presents and discusses the results of an experimental programme concerning concrete tension members reinforced with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the response of GFRP reinforced concrete (GFRP RC) tension members in terms of cracking and deformations. The results show the dependence of load-deformation response and crack spacing on the reinforcement ratio. The experimental results are compared to prediction models from codes and guidelines (ACI and Eurocode 2) and the suitability of the different approaches for predicting the behaviour of tensile members is analysed and discussed.     

Simulated seismic loading on reinforced concrete beam/column connections

Laboratory tests to investigate the seismic behaviour of five reinforced concrete external beamlcolumn connection specimens, by subjecting the beams to a series of slow load reversals, are described. The first three tests were undertaken as an extension of a static (non-seismic) test programme and were primarily carried out for the purposes of rig development. The two further test specimens contained additional links in the connection zone to make them representative of current seismic practice in the U.S.A. These two specimens were subjected to a series of slow load reversals specifically intended to simulate seismic effects.
With the first three specimens, complete destruction of the connection zone was achieved after only four or five cycles; the last two specimens withstood ten and twelve cycles respectively. One of these latter specimens failed due to the development of a plastic hinge at the beaml column junction, the other by plastic hinges forming in the column above and below the beam. Detailed information regarding the form of the reinforcement strain distributions developed during these tests is presented, data being obtained using reinforcement internally strain gauged with electric resistance strain gauges. Each specimen contained around 230 such gauges.     

Residual strength of blast damaged reinforced concrete columns

Columns are the key load-bearing elements in frame structures and exterior columns are probably the most vulnerable structural components to terrorist attacks. Column failure is normally the primary cause of progressive failure in frame structures. A high-fidelity physics-based computer program, LS-DYNA was utilized in this study to provide numerical simulations of the dynamic responses and residual axial strength of reinforced concrete columns subjected to short standoff blast conditions. The finite element (FE) model is discussed in detail and verified through correlated experimental studies. An extensive parametric study was carried out on a series of 12 columns to investigate the effects of transverse reinforcement ratio, axial load ratio, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, and column aspect ratio. These various parameters were incorporated into a proposed formula, capable of estimating the residual axial capacity ratio based on the mid-height displacement to height ratios.     

Experimental study of FRP-strengthened RC bridge girders subjected to fatigue loading

The practical application of composite materials for retrofitting of reinforced concrete bridge T-sectional girders was investigated. Carbon and glass fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRP and GFRP) saturated in an epoxy resin matrix were used to enhance the service load-carrying capacity of the bridge. Three 5-m-long simply supported beams were tested under monotonic and cyclic loads for comparison to a beam subjected to more than 10⁶ cycles in the service load range. The results show that an FRP-strengthened T-beam subjected to fatigue loading demonstrated excellent behaviour that can be expected from well-detailed retrofit schemes incorporating carbon and glass fibre laminates.     

Modelling the response of reinforced concrete panels under blast loading

A finite element model is developed for the simulation of the structural response of steel-reinforced concrete panels to blast loading using LS-DYNA. The effect of element size on the dynamic material model of concrete is investigated and strain-rate effects on concrete in tension and compression are accounted for separately in the model. The model is validated by comparing the computed results with experimental data from the literature. In addition, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of charge weight, standoff distance, panel thickness and reinforcement ratio on the blast resistance of reinforced concrete panels.     

Mechanical damage of ordinary or prestressed reinforced concrete beams under cyclic bending

The behaviour of metallic materials under repeated loading has been examined since the 19th century, but extended studies are more and more needed especially for reinforced concrete structures such as bridges, where high-cycle fatigue phenomena can be significant. In the present paper, a theoretical model based on fracture mechanics concepts is proposed in order to analyse the mechanical damage of ordinary or prestressed reinforced concrete beams with a rectangular or a T cross-section subjected to cyclic bending. Local phenomena, such as fracturing or crushing of concrete and yielding or slippage of the longitudinal steel reinforcement, are examined. Further, fatigue life is predicted by applying a crack growth law, and the energy dissipated during the plastic shake-down phenomenon is evaluated.     

Effect of imperfections in the bond on the strength of FRP wrapped cylindrical concrete columns

Effect of imperfections at the interface between concrete and FRP on the strength of FRP confined axially loaded cylindrical concrete columns is investigated, experimentally and numerically. It is seen that the presence of imperfections facilitates localization of deformation, adversely affects the confining capacity of FRP, and reduces the failure load. The influence of size, location and orientation of imperfection on failure load is studied: the orientation and location are found to be more important than size. Critical locations and orientations of the imperfection are found and explained in terms of the mechanics of shear banding in pressure-sensitive elasto-plastic materials.     

Behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete columns in fire

This paper presents the results of a research program on the behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete columns in fire. Several fire resistance tests on fiber concrete columns with restrained thermal elongation were carried out. The percentage of steel reinforcing bars on the testing columns varied in function of the percentage of steel fibers being always the total amount of steel (steel fibers + steel reinforcement) similar. The aim of this research was to study the possibility of replacing the longitudinal reinforcement bars on the concrete columns by steel fibers. Furthermore, polypropylene fibers were also used on the concrete in order to enhance the fire behaviour of the columns and avoid the concrete spalling. Polypropylene fibers under fire action will create a network of micro-channels for the escape of the water vapour.