External Confined Concrete Cylinders Behavior under Axial Compression Using CFRP Wrapping

Abstract

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a composite material used to mend and strengthen concrete structural elements in civil engineering. The prime aim of this experimental study is to investigate the comportment of confined concrete cylinders (CCC) under uniaxial loads by altering the concrete strength, the CFRP angle orientation, and the volumetric ratio, following the externally bonded reinforcement technique (EBR). We present the results of the confinement effect and failure mechanisms issue of more than 150 specimens of CFRP confined concrete cylinders that have been undertaken and in which several parameters were altered. Totally and partially confined concrete cylinders were tested for failure under axial compressive loads and indirect tensile tests. Four different ratios of water/cement (0.33, 0.36, 0.401, and 0.522) were investigated. In addition, three sand–resin ratios were prepared to improve the mechanical properties and the adhesion of the CFRP and the concrete. The obtained results revealed a clear improvement in the compressive strength of the specimens made with low strength concrete (from 38% to 66%) compared to those made of high strength concrete (from 11% to 31%), where the improvements are relatively low. Furthermore, the transversally confined concrete cylinders presented significant gains in strength over those confined longitudinally. Lastly, adding sand to the resin increases the compressive strength of confined concrete cylinders (1.19% to 54.62%) and reduces the cost of the resin used for fixing CFRP materials.