Title:
Bearing Strength of Concrete with and without FRP Confinement
Author(s):
Publication:
CIA
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
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DOI:
Date:
2/28/2011
Abstract:
Bearing strength of concrete is an important design requirement for concrete when it is used for foundations. Current knowledge indicates that the bearing strength of concrete is related to the compressive strength of concrete and increases with an increase in the ratio of total surface area
to bearing area (known as bearing ratio). For a given bearing ratio, it is possible to increase the
bearing strength of concrete through providing external confinement. This paper outlines the results of
an experimental investigation on the bearing strength of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP)
confined concrete. Application of CFRP wrapping to concrete specimens offered lateral confinement
to the concrete. Three bearing ratio values of 2, 4 and 6 were used in this investigation. Analysis of
the results showed that the CFRP confinement had increased the bearing strength of concrete up to
74% over the unconfined concrete. The CFRP confined concrete resisted load beyond failure of the
concrete core as the CFRP confinement actively provided support. Failure of the confined concrete
occurred in a brittle explosive manner with loud acoustic emission as the CFRP confinement
experienced excessive tension in the hoop direction.