Theoretical Prediction of Two-Peak Behavior of GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Compressive Members

Abstract

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in compressive members is advantageous to reinforced concrete structures in order to alleviate the problem of corrosion of steel reinforcement and to produce a lightweight and efficient structural element. This investigation aims to propose the theoretical models for capturing the axial loading capacity (ALC) of hollow concrete columns (HCCs) having main FRP rebars and transverse FRP spirals. All the glass-FRP-reinforced HCCs portray two-peak load performance. The first peak is due to the gross cross-sectional area of concrete while the second peak is due to the core material laterally wrapped with FRP spirals. For the prediction of the first peak load of HCCs which is equal to the maximum capacity of solid concrete columns, a database of 279 FRP-reinforced columns was produced from the previous research and the ALC models were suggested; one for capturing the first peak and the other for estimating the second peak ALC of HCCs. The predictions of proposed models were compared with the test results from the literature. A close relationship was perceived between the theoretical and experimental results.