Evaluating the Efficiency of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) in Increasing the Compressive Strength of Circular Concrete Column

Abstract

Structural elements that have deteriorated or have become operationally ineffective during their lifetime can be retrofitted by using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP). Instead of demolishing existing structures improving them by using FRP is a relatively new technique and its gaining popularity. Various experimental and analytical studies are being undertaken to evaluate the performance of FRP on enhancing the performance of structural elements. In this study axial compression tests are performed on Carbon Fiber Reinforce Polymer (CFRP) wrapped circular column specimen and the efficiency of CFRP to increase the ultimate compressive strengths of the columns specimen compared to the unwrapped specimen are investigated. Concrete composed of stone and brick aggregate and two different dimension variations are introduced and the effects of these parameters on the confining pressure provided by CFRP is also evaluated in this study.