Compressive behavior of concrete cylinders confined by narrow strips of CFRP with spacing

Application of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is one of the effective strengthening methods for structural members such as reinforced concrete columns and beams. However, air voids and debonds between CFRP and concrete due to poor workmanship may degrade the structural performance otherwise expected by the strengthening. In order to minimize such debonds and ease the installation, the authors propose to wrap compressive concrete members with narrow strips of CFRP laminates with spacing. This paper focuses on an experimental study to investigate the effectiveness of applying the narrow strips of CFRP laminates. In this study, 60 concrete cylinders wrapped with CFRP strips having different spacings and widths are tested under compression load. The effects of several key parameters such as spacing, spliced length, number of layers, and section area of the CFRP laminates are investigated. In addition, stress–strain curves of pre-damaged specimens wrapped with CFRP laminates are also focused. Based on the experimental results, constitutive models of concrete confined by narrow strips of CFRP laminates are proposed.     

Effect of specimen size and shape on compressive strength of concrete containing fly ash: Application of genetic programming for design

The use of fly ash as a mineral admixture in the manufacture of concrete has received considerable attention in recent years. For this reason, several experimental studies are carried out by using fly ash at different proportions replacement of cement in concrete. In the present study, the models are developed in genetic programming for predicting the compressive strength values of cube (100 and 150 mm) and cylinder (100 × 200 and 150 × 300 mm) concrete containing fly ash at different proportions. The experimental data of different mixtures are obtained by searching 36 different literatures to predict these models. In the set of the models, the age of specimen, cement, water, sand, aggregate, superplasticizers, fly ash and CaO are entered as input parameters, while the compressive strength values of concrete containing fly ash are used as output parameter. The training, testing and validation set results of the explicit formulations obtained by the genetic programming models show that artificial intelligent methods have strong potential and can be applied for the prediction of the compressive strength of concrete containing fly ash with different specimen size and shape.     

Behavior and modeling of confined concrete cylinders in axial compression using FRP rings

This study suggests a secondary dense lateral reinforcement for reinforced concrete (RC) columns that are located between the primary lateral reinforcement and concrete surface, which are used to delay the buckling of longitudinal reinforcement and increase the ductility of RC columns. ‘Dense’ means that the spacing of the lateral reinforcement is smaller than the maximum gravel size. This study conducted axial compressive tests on concrete cylinders confined by dense reinforcement in order to improve the effectiveness of the dense lateral reinforcement. FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) rings were used for the reinforcement since they are corrosion resistant. The dense reinforcing method with FRP rings can successfully increase the peak strength of the concrete and the failure strain. The stress–strain curves of the confined concrete became almost bilinear with hardening behavior, which were similar to that of the concrete confined by the jackets of FRP sheets. This study also provides models of stress–strain in an axial direction and lateral strain. Based on the models, this study analyzes the confining effectiveness of the FRP rings on concrete.     

Prediction of compressive strength of concrete

The paper, which summarises a survey and an analysis of empirical strength laws, was undertaken with a view to formulating a strength law interrelating the water-cement ratio-which determines the porosity of the hardened cement-paste-and Powers's Gel/Space ratio, giving the relative strength of the cement stone. Accordingly, a graphical procedure is given for predicting the strength of ordinary concretes for a given water-cement ratio and lean air-entrained concretes for a given “equivalent” water-cement ratio. Compressive strength may also be predicted by means of numerical formulae.     

Influence of concrete strength and confinement method on axial compressive behavior of FRP confined high- and ultra high-strength concrete

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the effect of concrete compressive strength and confinement method on confined high and ultra high-strength concrete (HSC and UHSC) specimens. A total of 55 fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confined concrete specimens were tested under monotonic axial compression. All specimens were cylinders with 152 mm diameter and 305 mm height and confined by carbon FRP (CFRP). Three different concrete mixes were examined, with average compressive strengths of 35, 65 and 100 MPa. The effect of the confinement method was also examined with FRP-wrapped specimens compared to FRP tube-encased specimens. Axial and lateral behavior was recorded to observe the axial stress–strain relationship and lateral strain behavior for concentric compression. Ultimate axial and lateral conditions are tabulated and the complete stress–strain curves have been provided. The experimental results presented in this paper provide a performance comparison between FRP-confined conventional normal-strength concrete (NSC) and the lesser understood area of FRP-confined HSC and UHSC. The results of this experimental study clearly indicate that above a certain confinement threshold, FRP-confined HSC and UHSC exhibits highly ductile behavior, however for the same normalized confinement pressures, axial performance of FRP-confined concrete reduces as concrete strength increases. The results also indicate that ultimate conditions of FRP-wrapped specimens are similar to those confined by FRP tubes, however a performance difference is evident at the transition region. The performance of 10 existing stress–strain models were assessed against the experimental datasets and the performance of these models discussed. The results of this model assessment revealed the need for further development for stress–strain models developed specifically for FRP-confined HSC or UHSC.     

Effect of seawater on compressive strength of concrete cylinders reinforced by non-adhesive wound hybrid polymer composites

Seawater absorption in concrete structures can be a serious problem in humid and marine environments. It was demonstrated that non-adhesive (separated by aluminum foil) filament wound tubes could better reinforce concrete cylinders. Furthermore, composites have ever proved to be resistant to detrimental environment. Therefore, in this study four kinds of non-adhesive composite materials are used to reinforce concrete cylinders, and then composite/concrete systems are subjected to six environmental conditions. The composites include hand-wrapped woven cloth glass/epoxy, filament wound glass/epoxy, glass-kevlar-glass hybrid, and glass-carbon-glass hybrid. These allow comparing reinforcement effect from various processing methods, fibers, and interface. The six environmental conditions consist of soaking in live or dead seawater, soaking before or after winding, and air aging before or after winding. The first and second conditions can verify the accuracy of the experiment in laboratory (dead seawater) without bothering to test near coast (live seawater). The third to sixth conditions can provide a good designing criterion regarding what the best sequence is for reinforcing seawater or air attacked concrete structure by composites.     

A linear programming formulation for incremental contact analysis

A novel algorithm for the analysis of contact problems in elasticity has been presented in this paper. The algorithm is based on the boundary element method and a direct approximation of the contact complementarity conditions using linear programming. An incremental loading scheme has been developed to ensure an accurate approximation of the deformation path that the object experiences during the process of contact. Several numerical examples have been analysed to illustrate the validity of the proposed formulations.     

Strength of short concrete columns confined with CFRP sheets

The confinement of concrete columns provided by carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets can be an efficient technique for their structural strengthening. The principal advantages of this technique are the high strength-to-weight ratio, good fatigue properties, non-corroding characteristics of the CFRP, and the facility of its application. An experimental research program, that included tests on 54 short column specimens, was carried out to investigate the gain in strength and ductility of concrete columns externally confined by CFRP wrapping. The variables studied were the column cross section shape (circular, square and rectangular) and the amount of confinement expressed in the number of CFRP sheet layers applied to the models (one or two layers). On the basis of the obtained results, equations were proposed to calculate the confined concrete strength and the ultimate confined concrete strain as a function of the confining lateral stress for each of the cross section geometry used, circular, square and rectangular. The estimations given by these equations and by those from formulas encountered in the literature were compared with the experimental ones and general conclusions were, finally, drawn.

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Résumé Le confinement de colonnes de béton assuré par des feuilles de plastique renforcé par des fibres de carbone (CFRP) peut être une technique efficace pour leur comportement structural. Les principaux avantages de cette technique sont la haute relation résistance-poids, des bonnes propriétés de fatigue, les caractéristiques non-corrosives du CFRP, et la facilité de leur application. Un programme expérimental comprenant des essais sur 54 colonnes courtes fut entrepris en vue de déterminer le gain de résistance et de ductilité de colonnes en béton confinées sur le plan externe en les recouvrant de feuilles de CFRP. Les variables étudiées étaient la forme de la section transversale (circulaire, carrée et rectangulaire), et la quantité de renforcement, mesurée par le nombre de feuilles de CFRP appliquées aux modèles (une ou deux couches). En prenant comme base les résultats obtenus, des équations ont été proposées pour calculer la résistance du béton confiné et sa déformation spécifique ultime en fonction de la contrainte latérale de confinement, pour chaque forme de section transversale utilisée, circulaire, carrée et rectangulaire. Les estimations données par ces équations et celles données par des formules trouvées dans la litérature ont été comparées avec les résultats expérimentaux et des conclusions générales ont finalement été établies.

     

Prediction of FRP-confined compressive strength of concrete using artificial neural networks

Strengthening and retrofitting of concrete columns by wrapping and bonding FRP sheets has become an efficient technique in recent years. Considerable investigations have been carried out in the field of FRP-confined concrete and there are many proposed models that predict the compressive strength which are developed empirically by either doing regression analysis using existing test data or by a development based on the theory of plasticity. In the present study, a new approach is developed to obtain the FRP-confined compressive strength of concrete using a large number of experimental data by applying artificial neural networks. Having parameters used as input nodes in ANN modeling such as characteristics of concrete and FRP, the output node was FRP-confined compressive strength of concrete. The idealized neural network was employed to generate empirical charts and equations for use in design. The comparison of the new approach with existing empirical and experimental data shows good precision and accuracy of the developed ANN-based model in predicting the FRP-confined compressive strength of concrete.     

Investigation of stress-strain models for confined high strength concrete

The effects of confinement reinforcement on the behaviour of high strength concrete columns are investigated for which prismatic experimental specimens were prepared. In the experiment specimens, four longitude reinforcement and confinement reinforcement were used. For each experiment, stress-strain relationship of concrete was obtained and compared with models proposed earlier. The results show that confinement reinforcement improved the ductility of high strength concrete. The ascending branch of stress-strain curves depended on the ratio of confinement reinforcement was similar to the modified Kent-Park model and the descending branch similar to the Nagashima model.     

Critical parameters for the compressive strength of high-strength concrete

This study investigates the influence of several material properties underlying the failure mechanism of high-strength concrete (HSC) under uniaxial compression. An experimental-numerical characterization of a single inclusion block (SIB) – an idealized composite comprising of a granite cylindrical core embedded within a high-strength mortar (HSM) matrix – is first carried out. Parametric studies are next conducted with the calibrated SIB model, to identify the critical parameters governing the failure of the idealized composite. The qualitative understanding obtained from the SIB is then utilized to design a series of experiments, exploring the extent of influence of the identified critical parameters on the compressive strength of HSC. Complementary experimental data in literature are also examined. For the range of specimens considered, it is found that the lateral strain capacity of mortar matrix has the most influence on the compressive strength of HSC.     

On the compressive strength prediction for concrete masonry prisms

The results of a combined experimental program and numerical modeling program to evaluate the behavior of ungrouted hollow concrete blocks prisms under uniaxial compression are addressed. In the numerical program, three distinct approaches have been considered using a continuum model with a smeared approach, namely plane-stress, plane-strain and three-dimensional conditions. The response of the numerical simulations is compared with experimental data of masonry prisms using concrete blocks specifically designed for this purpose. The elastic and inelastic parameters were acquired from laboratory tests on concrete and mortar samples that constitute the blocks and the bed joint of the prisms. The results from the numerical simulations are discussed with respect to the ability to reproduce the global response of the experimental tests, and with respect to the failure behavior obtained. Good agreement between experimental and numerical results was found for the peak load and for the failure mode using the three-dimensional model, on four different sets of block/mortar types. Less good agreement was found for plain stress and plain strain models.     

硫酸盐环境中CFRP约束劣化混凝土柱的力学性能

为研究碳纤维增强树脂复合材料(CFRP)加固经硫酸盐腐蚀劣化后混凝土柱的力学性能,构建CFRP约束劣化混凝土的力学模型,采用CFRP约束普通混凝土后腐蚀和CFRP约束劣化混凝土两种工况进行试验,在试验研究基础上,引入损伤率及强度保持率作为损伤的量化指标,建立两者之间的关系;通过对CFRP约束混凝土强度及应变规律的回归分析,建立适用于硫酸盐环境下CFRP约束劣化混凝土的极限强度、应变模型及应力-应变关系模型。结果表明:随侵蚀时间增长,两种工况下CFRP约束混凝土极限强度和应变的变化规律及劣化速度均不同。预劣化的混凝土柱虽然进行了表面处理,但内部已经存在损伤,在侵蚀环境中采用CFRP加固混凝土柱时,应该考虑混凝土初始损伤的影响。      

Behavior of polymer concrete beam/pile confined with CFRP sleeves

This research investigates the flexural behavior of a polymer concrete beam/pile encased with carbon fiber sleeve. The mechanical properties of carbon fiber sleeves in tension and cement and polymer concrete in compression were determined. Polymer concrete beams were tested in flexure to determine the bending moment capacity. Then, the test results were compared to the theoretical model results. Finally, a parametric study was conducted to determine the influence of beam/pile parameters on the capacity of the element. Based on the investigation, carbon fiber sleeve filled with polymer concrete exhibits outstanding structural performance including ductility and bending capacity.     

Numerical model for CFRP confined concrete elements subject to monotonic and cyclic loadings

Uniaxial cyclic and monotonic compression tests were carried out on partially and fully wrapped concrete cylinders with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) wet lay-up sheets. The influence of the concrete compressive strength, CFRP stiffness, geometric confinement arrangement and loading type on the compressive behaviour of reinforced concrete column elements of circular cross-section up to their failure was assessed. A uniaxial stress–strain constitutive model is proposed, and the results obtained from the experimental tests were used to calibrate some of the parameters of this model, and to appraise the model performance. This model allows the simulation of reinforced concrete members by using Timoshenko one-dimensional elements, in the context of the finite element method (fibre model). Good agreement was obtained between numerical simulations and experimental results for both monotonic and cyclic loading tests.     

Residual strength of a damaged laminated CFRP under compressive fatigue stresses

Laminated composite plates are extensively used in the construction of aerospace, civil, marine, automotive and other high performance structures due to their high specific stiffness and strength, compared to the conventional metallic materials. In general, these structures require high reliability assurance for which, the prediction of the maximum load that the structure can withstand as well as the failure process is very crucial. Compressive fatigue tests on damaged specimens of laminated CFRP’s showed that the failure is dependent of a minimum delaminated area – allowable delaminated area. There is a correlation between the size of the allowable delaminated area, the critical number of cycles, and the critical fatigue stress. Monitoring the damage propagation by C-scan, different delaminated area growth ratios were defined for the test specimens. Correlating different data, a delamination growth relation was established that enables the evaluation of the residual strength of the CFRP.