USE OF FRP REINFORCEMENT IN COLUMNS OF NEW STRUCTURES

This paper looks at the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement in concrete columns, for use in new construction. The state-of-the-art on FRP reinforced concrete (RC) columns is presented with a brief discussion of research findings. The behavior of columns as well as FRP reinforcement in compression is included. The use of FRP transverse reinforcement is discussed in terms of its effectiveness as confinement reinforcement. The paper also includes a summary of an experimental study of FRP RC columns currently being conducted at the University of Ottawa. Details of the test program, as well as test results, are given. Results indicate that FRP reinforcement can be effectively used in new concrete columns. The use of FRP transverse reinforcement in columns was also investigated experimentally and analytically. Carbon FRP grids were used as column confinement reinforcement. Test results indicate that these grids, with relatively lower elastic modulus as compared to steel of equivalent volumetric ratio, were able to confine concrete effectively and improve column inelastic drift capacity. Columns with CFRP grids showed lateral drift capacities of from 4-6%, depending on the grid size and the number of grid cells.