Experimental and Computational Studies on High-Strength Concrete Circular Columns Confined by Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sheets

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the properties of high-strength concrete (HSC) circular columns confined by aramid fiber-reinforced polymer (AFRP) sheets under axial compression. A total of 60 specimens were tested, considering the following parameters: the compressive strength of concrete, the number of AFRP layers, and the form of AFRP wrapping. In addition, an analytical model for predicting the stress–strain curves is proposed based on the experimental results. Meanwhile, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element model with a Drucker–Prager plasticity model for the concrete core and an elastic model for the AFRP is developed by using the finite-element code ANSYS. It is demonstrated that the strength and ductility of the columns with continuous AFRP wrapping are increased greatly; whereas the strength of the columns with discontinuous AFRP wrapping is also increased, but the ductility is not always increased notably. The analytical model and the finite-element model are validated against the experimental results.