HYBRID FRP-CONCRETE TUBULAR COLUMNS: DESIGN PROVISONS IN THE DRAFT CHINESE CODE

In recent years, fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have found increasingly wide applications in the construction of new structures. In particular, the combined use of FRP with other materials to create hybrid structures is a promising direction. This paper presents a summary of the design provisions in the draft Chinese Code for Infrastructure Application of. FRP Composites for two types of hybrid FRP-concrete tubular columns which are particularly attractive for use as bridge piers in corrosive environments, namely; concrete-filled FRP tubes (CFFTs) and hybrid FRP-concrete-steel double-skin tubular columns (DSTCs). These design provisions have been developed on the basis of available research as well as work undertaken at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in direct support of the development of the Chinese Code. The research that underpins these design provisions is also discussed in this paper to explain their rationale.