Compressive behavior of large-scale square reinforced concrete columns confined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer jackets

Several experimental and analytical studies on the confinement effect and failure mechanisms of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapped columns have been conducted over recent years. Although typical axial members are large-scale square/rectangular reinforced concrete (RC) columns in practice, the majority of such studies have concentrated on the behavior of small-scale circular concrete specimens. The data available for square/rectangular columns are still limited. This paper reports the results of an experimental research program on the performance of large-scale square RC columns wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. Attention is focused on the investigation of the total effect of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement and FRP jackets on the behavior of concentrically loaded columns. A total of 20 large-scale RC columns were fabricated and tested to failure under axial loading in the structural laboratory. Three types of columns were primarily considered: unwrapped; fully wrapped; and partially wrapped. Based on the test results of RC columns, existing experimental data and procedures in the literature are also evaluated. Furthermore, stress–strain curves of the columns are successfully predicted by the analytical approach previously proposed for FRP-confined concrete.