Experimental research on AFRP reinforced recycled steel tube columns subjected to axial compression

Abstract

In order to make an effective use of the recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), a total of six steel tube RAC columns and six basalt fiber (BF) reinforced RAC columns, including six columns that were externally strengthened with aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP) sheets, were fabricated and tested. This were to provide a strengthening solution to upgrade the load carrying capacity, ductility and rigidity of the RAC filled steel tube columns. Besides, the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratios for production of RAC was analyzed. The results show that the load carrying capacity and ultimate displacements of the RAC filled ST columns could be improved greatly by adding of basalt fiber, especially for the specimens with 50% and 100% RCA replacement ratio. The similar result was also found for the specimens strengthened with AFRP reinforcement, along with the stiffness of the columns were enhanced obviously. Moreover, the highest improving on the load carrying capacity, stiffness and ultimate displacement was found in the specimens both reinforced by adding of BF and strengthening of AFRP. However, the failure modes of the specimens with BF reinforced RAC gave a higher deformability than the one with AFRP strengthening arrangement.