Stress–Strain Behavior of Large-Scale Circular Columns Confined with FRP Composites

Abstract

For a reliable and efficient design of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapping reinforcement, an accurate stress–strain prediction of reinforced concrete (RC) columns confined with FRP composites is essential. The stress–strain characteristics of FRP-confined concrete have been extensively studied, testing small-scale cylindrical specimens. In this paper, the stress–strain response of axially loaded large-scale columns confined with FRP wrapping reinforcement is investigated. The effective circumferential FRP failure strain and the effect of increasing confining action on the stress–strain behavior of RC columns confined with FRP are examined. Different models for the prediction of the stress–strain behavior of FRP-confined concrete have been reviewed. The existing stress–strain models are applied to predict the stress–strain response of the experimental results presented in this study. A comparison between the experimental results and those predicted by the existing models are presented. Few of the available models that were derived based on small-size cylinders were found to accurately predict the stress–strain response of large-scale columns.