Title: Behavior of Externally Confined Concrete Columns

Author(s): Hamid Saadatmanesh, Mohammed Ehsani, and Mu-Wen Li

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 138

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 249-266

Keywords: bridges (structures); carbon; columns (supports); composite materials; confined concrete; ductility; shear stress; earthquake-resistant structures; fiber reinforced plastics; glass; strengthening; wrapping; Structural Research

DOI: 10.14359/3926

Date: 9/1/1993

Abstract:
Fiber composites have become increasingly popular in the civil engineering community in recent years. The primary area of research and development of fiber composites in the concrete industry has been related to fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) reinforcing bars. Paper presents a different application of fiber composites in concrete structures, namely, confinement of concrete columns with fiber composite wraps for improved ductility and seismic performance. The confinement is accomplished by wrapping high-strength fiber composite belts around the columns. The belts are made very thin, resulting in flexibility sufficient to their being wrapped around circular as well as rectangular columns. The belts can be wrapped around the column in individual rings or in a continuous spiral. The ends of the belts can be mechanically coupled or they can be epoxy-bonded to the column. The confinement provided by the belts results in significant increase in the crushing strain of concrete well above that of unconfined concrete. This will improve the overall strength and ductility of the column. Paper presents the results of an analytical study and ongoing experimental study of concrete columns externally confined with fiber composite wraps.