Experimental study and finite element analysis of PVC-CFRP confined concrete column – Ring beam joint subjected to eccentric compression

Abstract

Eleven PVC-CFRP Confined Concrete Beam – Column Joints (PCCBCJs) under eccentric compression are experimentally investigated to determine their mechanical behaviors. All the PCCBCJs are designed depending on the doctrine of weak joint and strong column, and four studied parameters including the reinforcement ratio, height and width of the ring beam, and eccentricity are examined. The test results indicate that all the PCCBCJs are damaged by the crushing of the joint concrete and the PVC tubes, as well as CFRP strips, are not broken. The ultimate bearing capacity of the PCCBCJs will be increased by raising the reinforcement ratio, width of the ring beam. Nevertheless, the increase in the ring beam height or eccentricity decreases the ultimate bearing capacity of the PCCBCJs. The effects of the studied parameters on the strains of the PVC-CFRP Confined Concrete (PCCC) columns, strains of the longitudinal steel bars, strains of the column stirrups, strains of the stirrups of the ring beam and strains of the annular steel bars are examined. An appropriate finite element model for the PCCBCJs under eccentric compression is established depending on the reasonable constitutive relation of the materials. Additionally, the parametric studies are conducted based on the validated finite element model, the stress mechanism is revealed and the influence of six main parameters on the bearing capacity is analyzed. Finally, some design suggestions and construction requirements are put forward.