Influences of the Effectiveness of a Column Confinement with Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC)

Abstract

AbstractIn the present paper the results of uniaxial compression tests conducted on textile reinforced concrete (TRC)—confined reinforced concrete (RC) columns are reported. By confining the column with TRC, the lateral expansion of the concrete can be impeded. The resulting multiaxial compressive stress state allows to enhance the components axial capacity. Due to the corrosion-resistant textile, the usual concrete cover in reinforced concrete construction is reduced, which allows slender but at the same time highly load-bearing components to be created. Consequently TRC provides a sustainable, environmentally friendly and lighter option for column reinforcement due to the material savings. The aim of this study is the investigation of various influences on the achievable strengthening effect. The impact of ratio of textile reinforcement and the applied fine grain concrete jacket is evaluated. In addition, the influence of the concrete strength of the strengthened component on the overall increase in load-bearing capacity was investigated. With the help of experiments on TRC reinforced RC columns with a circular cross-section mechanical property and constraint mechanism under uniaxial compression were documented and analyzed. Based on the test results, stress distribution and failure mechanisms of the reinforced specimens is studied. Furthermore, stress-strain relationship of strengthened members is investigated. The results show an increasing in both strength and ductility related to the unstrengthened reference columns. The specimens with a lower compressive strength can achieve a higher degree of reinforcement. A high ductility of the reinforced columns could also be observed.