Strengthening of Eccentrically Loaded Reinforced Concrete Columns with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Wrapping System: Experimental Investigation and Analytical Modeling

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental program and analytical modeling for performance evaluation of a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapping system to upgrade eccentrically loaded reinforced concrete (RC) columns. A total of 12 RC columns with end corbels were tested. The test specimen had an overall length of 1,200 mm . Each end corbel had a cross section of 250×250 mm and a length of 350 mm . The specimen in the test region was 125×125 mm having a longitudinal steel ratio of 1.9%. Test parameters included confinement condition (no wrapping, full FRP wrapping, and partial FRP wrapping), and eccentricity-to-section height (e∕h) ratio (0.3, 0.43, 0.57, and 0.86). Research findings indicated that the strength gain caused by FRP wrapping decreased as e∕h was increased. Full FRP wrapping resulted in about 37% enhancement in compression strength at a nominal e∕h of 0.3, whereas only 3% strength gain was recorded at a nominal e∕h of 0.86. The compression strengths of the partially wrapped columns wer...