Behaviour of FRP strengthened concrete columns under eccentric compression loading

This paper presents results of testing eccentrically loaded columns externally wrapped with two types of materials. Six cylindrical (205 mm diameter and 925 mm height) plain columns were cast and tested. Half of the columns were wrapped with GFRP and the other half with CFRP. All columns were tested by applying an axial load at 50 mm eccentricity. In each group (GFRP or CFRP wrapped) of columns, one column did not have any vertical straps, one had vertical straps made of one layer of wrapping material and one column had vertical straps made of three layers of wrapping material. All columns were horizontally wrapped with three layers of material (GFRP or CFRP). A steel reinforced column was also cast and tested to serve as a reference column. Based on testing the columns it can be concluded that considerable gain in strength and ductility are obtained when reinforcing the columns with CFRP (vertical straps and horizontally wrapped). (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.