Experimental study on confinement of axially loaded square columns with CFRP

Abstract

Use of fiber reinforced polymer composite as an externally strengthening method of concrete structures has been growing rapidly in all over the world in recent years. But still in Sri Lanka the conventional methods are used for strengthening the concrete structures. . As an initiation to use the method of strengthening using FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) in Sri Lanka, the behavior of the axially loaded square columns w rapped with CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) was studied. This paper presents the test programme to evaluate the axial load carrying capacity of square columns confined with CFRP. Two control specimens and two test specimens were tested under pure axial compression up to failure. The lest results showed a considerable increment in the failure load and the ultimate axial strain and a higher ductility due to the enlargement of the failure zone in the CFRP confined columns compared to the unconfined c