Cross‐sectional and confining system unification on peak compressive strength of FRP confined concrete

Abstract

Despite the many axial confinement models already proposed for the determination of the peak compressive strength of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) confined concrete columns, they are, in general, applicable only to concrete columns of circular or square cross-section, with full or partial confinement arrangements. In this study, by proposing a cross-sectional and confining system unification approach, a new model is developed and calibrated based on a large test database. For the generalization of the cross-section and FRP-based confinement arrangement, the concept of confinement efficiency factor with a unified mathematical framework is adopted. By simulating experimental tests and comparing to the predictions of existing confinement models, the developed one demonstrates a very high reliability and suitable for design purposes by balancing the simplicity of the usage and accuracy