Performance of Concrete Cylinders Confined with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers under Axial Load

Abstract

A total number of 18 standard concrete cylinders were manufactured and tested in this study under axial static compression loading, to assess the influence of CFRP confinement on their performance. The specimens were divided into two groups according to two cement grades used. Each of the two Groups consisted of 9 concrete cylinders, eight of which were CFRP fully or partially confined. The last cylinder of each group was without CFRP wrapping, used as control specimen for comparison. The used CFRP strips were from two different Sources (1) and (2) applied to cylinder surface using either one of two epoxy resin Sources (a) and (b). Two systems of the application of CFRP with epoxy resin were adopted. System (1) using CFRP Source (1) with epoxy resin Source (a). System (2) using CFRP Source (2) with epoxy resin Source (b). Each application system was adopted for 8 cylinders using each of the two cement grades. Four schemes of CFRP wrapping, either fully or partially confined, were used. Based on obtained test results, conclusions are presented regarding the parameters affecting the ultimate compressive load of tested concrete cylinders, which are the cement grades chosen, the CFRP confinement schemes adopted, and the epoxy resin types used.