Experimental Investigation of Uniaxial Compressive Behavior of Composite Columns without and with Full and Partial CFRP Wraps

Abstract

Concrete columns are the backbone of any major structure, and their strengthening, repair, and retrofit have always drawn special research attention. One of the techniques for strengthening and improving the ductility of concrete columns has been the application of carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. A total of 43 columns of different configurations were experimentally investigated to evaluate the uniaxial compressive behavior of composite columns. Experimental and international code–recommended load-carrying capacities, stress–strain relations, axial stiffness, ductility factor, and failure modes were examined in the study. When fully wrapped, the strength of both plain cement concrete and reinforced cement concrete columns improved by 21% each with reference to the unwrapped columns. In addition to providing the advantages of external confinement to the columns, full wrapping contributed to a strength increment of 21%, which compared well with the steel reinforcement contribution to a strength increment of 28% to 39%. The partial wrapping technique was found to be an economical alternative to the full wrapping technique, with strength enhancements of 6% to 12% in the case of both plain cement concrete and reinforced cement concrete partially wrapped columns. Two regression models for the load-carrying capacity for columns with and without wraps were developed with four key performance parameters: percentage steel reinforcement, percentage concrete, percentage carbon fiber–reinforced polymer wrap, and the weight of the specimen. The formulated models were validated and found to be robust and consistent with the results.