Numerical Modelling of Geopolymer Concrete In-Filled Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite Columns Subjected to Axial Compression Loading

Abstract

In this research study, the performance of geopolymer concrete (GPC) in-filled fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite (GPC-FRP) columns exposed to compressive loading is examined using the finite element (FE) analysis. The load–deflection behaviour is investigated by considering the impact of the strength of concrete, different fibre orientations and thicknesses of FRP tubes in terms of the diameter/thickness (D/t) ratio, surface friction in between the concrete and enclosing FRP tube, the lateral confinement and the axial stress distribution characteristics. The load-carrying capacity (LCC) of the GPC-FRP composite columns and cement concrete (CC) in-filled FRP composite (CC-FRP) columns is compared and the results imply that the LCC of the GPC-FRP composite columns is (0.9 to 2.04%) greater than the CC-FRP composite columns. The improvement in the LCC and lateral confining pressure of the GPC-FRP composite columns is observed as the thickness of the FRP tube increases. The LCC of the GPC-FRP composite columns with a D/t ratio of 30 was almost (12.70 to 14.23%) greater than the GPC-FRP composite columns with a D/t ratio of 50. The GPC-FRP composite columns with a fibre orientation in the axial and hoop directions (0°) exhibit (8.4 to 11.39%) better performance than the columns with any other orientations (30° and 53°). The LCC of the GPC-FRP composite columns with a coefficient of friction of 0.25 and 0.5 are quite comparable. The axial stress distribution in the GPC-FRP composite columns with different tube thicknesses is explored in this research. This FE model is validated with the experimental results obtained by Kim et al., (2015) and the load and deflection are predicted with the validation error of 6.5 and 6.1%, respectively.