Static strengths of preloaded circular hollow section stub columns strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer

To investigate the load bearing capacity of axially preloaded circular hollow section (CHS) stub columns strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), theoretical analysis is carried out. The yield strength and the ultimate strength of a CFRP strengthened preloaded CHS stub column are determined at the yielding of the CHS tube and at the CFRP fracture, respectively. Theoretical models are proposed and corresponding equations for calculating the static strengths, including the yield strength and the ultimate strength, are presented. Through comparison with reported experimental results, the theoretical predictions on the static strengths are proved to be accurate. Through finite element (FE) analyses, parametric studies for 258 models of CFRP strengthened preloaded CHS stub columns are conducted by considering different values of tube diameter, tube thickness, CFRP layer and preloading level. The static strengths of the 258 models predicted from presented equations are proved to be in good agreement with FE simulations when the diameter-to-thickness ratio is less than 90ε 2 . The parametric study indicates that the diameter and the thickness of the steel tube have great effects on CFRP strengthening efficiency, and the recommended ranges of the diameter and the thickness are proposed.