Effect of CFRP Wraps on the Compressive Strength of Normal and Structural Lightweight Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most prominent building materials in the construction industry. Further, lightweight concrete has recently emerged, contributing to the sustainable values of modern construction. Many researchers have worked on enhancing the concrete's compressive strength by applying externally bonding fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites via epoxy adhesives. Such FRP materials are very promising due to their lightweight and high tensile strength along with high corrosion, impact, and fatigue resistance. This paper aims to investigate the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) wraps in enhancing concrete's compressive properties. The study is conducted on strengthened and control normal weight (NWC) and structural lightweight concrete (LWC) cylinders (150 mm x 300 mm). Experimental results show that CFRP wrapping increase the compressive strength and stiffness of both types of concrete. The compressive strength of structural LWC increased by 67.9% and 118.1%, compared to an increase of 46.1% and 105.0% for LWC, using one and two layers of CFRP, respectively. Further, the ductility is significantly enhanced with CFRP wrapping, suggesting increased resilience and ability to absorb energy during deformation. In terms of behavior at failure, LWC exhibited a more favourable response than NWC at failure. Results indicate that LWC has a satisfactory performance in withstanding compressive loads. This underscores the potential for lightweight concrete to serve as a viable structural material and highlights the role of CFRP reinforcement in further elevating its structural capabilities.