Effect of Composite Wrap Architecture on Strengthening of Concrete Due to Confinement: II-Strain and Damage Effects

Abstract

The increasing deterioration of infrastructure due to the combined effects of aging and environmental weathering, including the detrimental effect of salt and chlorides has created a critical problem related to rehabilitation and renewal. The use of composite wraps on deteriorated concrete piers and columns presents a potentially rapid and efficient means of strengthening the structure, as well as providing a coating that serves to protect the previously weakened structure from further environmental exposure and degradation. This study investigates the use of unidirectional carbon fabric used as an overlay on column specimens for the purposes of strengthening. Specimens wrapped with a variety of fiber orientations and number of layers were loaded statically under uniaxial compression. Experimental results on strain and damage effects are discussed and related to wrap architecture. Experimental results indicate significant enhancement of strength and pseudo-ductility of the specimens, and experimental results provide a good basis for the understanding of the interaction between the wrap and the dilated concrete.