Investigation on the Behaviour of Fibre Reinforced Polymer Wrapped Concrete In-Filled Steel Tube Columns

Abstract

Concrete in-filled steel tube (CIFST) columns are mainly used as structural members in buildings located in seismic zones. CIFST columns prone to buckling and technique is required to control the buckling of concrete filled steel tubes when they are subjected to cycles of loading. In this work, CIFST columns wrapped with fibre reinforced polymer laminates (FRPL) to prevent the local buckling. Experimental and analytical study of CIFST columns externally wrapped with FRPL have been conducted. Theoretical study is also conducted to find the ultimate load carrying capacity of CIFST columns. The parameters involved in this investigation are type of fibre and shape of the steel tube. The CIFST columns are tested under lateral loading to determine the number of cycles to failure and energy absorption capacity and to observe the hysteresis behaviour. The analytical study comprises of finite element modeling of CIFST columns wrapped with FRPL. The results obtained from the experimental investigation and finite element model are compared. The results revealed that FRPL wrapped circular CIFST columns have higher load carrying capacity and energy absorption capacity and exhibit ductile behavior when compared to CIFST columns.