Abstract
Composite materials like glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) is becoming widely acceptable to be used as a reinforcing material due to its high ultimate tensile strength-to-weight ratio and excellent resistance to corrosion. However, the seismic behavior of GFRP-reinforced concrete columns has not been fully investigated yet. This paper presents the results of a numerical analysis of full-size GFRP-RC rectangular columns under cyclic loading. The simulated column depicts the lower part of a building column between the foundation and the point of contra-flexure at the mid-height of the column. GFRP reinforcement properties and concrete modeling based on fracture energy have been incorporated in the numerical model. Experimental validation has been used to examine the accuracy of the constructed finite element models (FEMs) using a commercially available software. The validated FEM was used to perform a parametric study, considering several concrete strength values and axial load levels, to study its influence on the performance of the GFRP-reinforced concrete columns under cyclic loading. It was concluded that the hysteretic dissipation capacity deteriorates under high axial load level due to severe softening of the concrete. The FE results showed a substantial improvement of the lateral load-carrying capacities by increasing concrete compressive strength.
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