Behavior of GFRP reinforced concrete columns confined with inner steel spirals

Abstract

The paper investigates the behavior of glass‐fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete columns with integrated steel spirals (hybrid reinforcement). Six concrete columns were tested under eccentric axial loading, resulting in failure due to bending. Columns with outer steel longitudinal bars experienced steel yielding at peak loads, while those with GFRP outer rebars failed due to concrete crushing. The results revealed that using GFRP as outer longitudinal bars led to peak loads 3–10% lower compared to columns with steel rebars. Inner confinement by steel spirals increased the load‐carrying capacity. Additionally, columns with inner tubular steel exhibited greater strength than those with steel spirals, indicating a slightly enhanced confinement effect. A finite element model was developed to analyze structural behavior, considering both material and geometric nonlinearity. The model's accuracy was validated by comparing predictions with test results. Parametric analysis from the nonlinear FE model showed that eccentricity significantly impacted column load‐carrying capacity. Increasing inner confinement area and the number of inner longitudinal bars improved structural stiffness and load‐carrying capacity. Furthermore, a simplified theoretical method was proposed. Comparison between experimental failure loads and theoretical predictions revealed differences within 20%, indicating satisfactory reliability of the proposed method.