Flexural behavior of concrete columns strengthened with near surface mounted FRP bars

Abstract

Using composite materials for repairing and strengthening of concrete structures, specifically reinforced concrete (RC) columns, has continuously increased during past few years. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is one of he different types of these materials, which can be used by either wrapping or near surface mounted (NSM) methods, in order to improve the confinement effects and the flexural capacity of RC columns. In this study, concrete column specimens, strengthened with near surface mounted FRP bars, were modeled in computer program, using finite element analysis. The behaviors of these columns were then analyzed under monotonic and cyclic lateral loads with constant axial compressive loads. The analytical results were compared to the results obtained from experimental observations on specimens with the same geometry and loading conditions and they were in good agreement. Since the anchorage of FRP bars in column's foundation is an important factor to prevent premature failure, an additional parametric study on the specimens was done to find the optimal development length of FRP reinforcement in the foundation.© 2011 Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg .