Stress-Strain Model for High-Strength Concrete Confined by Welded Wire Fabric

Abstract

Increased ductility of columns made with high-strength concrete (HSC) can be accomplished through proper confinement of the concrete core. To determine the effectiveness of welded wire fabric as transverse reinforcement in HSC columns, an experimental investigation involving testing of ten full-scale columns in axial compression was conducted. The performance of columns laterally reinforced with welded wire fabric (WWF) was compared with that of unconfined concrete. Axial stress-strain diagrams of the concrete core from the experimental tests showed that substantial gains in strength and ductility of columns laterally reinforced with WWF can be achieved if the volumetric ratio of transverse steel was larger than 3.5%. Critical points on the stress-strain curve of confined concrete were determined and a mathematical model that considers the effect of the volumetric ratio of transverse steel on the stress-strain relationship is proposed. Comparison between the proposed model and the experimental results showed good agreement between the two.