Experimental behavior of eccentrically loaded R.C. short columns strengthened using GFRP wrapping

This paper aims to study the behavior of short reinforced concrete columns confined with external glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) sheets under eccentric loads. The experimental part of the study was achieved by testing 9 specimens under eccentric compression. Three eccentricity ratios corresponding to e/t = 0, 0.10, 0.50 in one direction of the column were used. Specimens were divided into three groups. The first group was the control one without confinement. The second group was fully wrapped with GFRP laminates before loading. The third group was wrapped under loading after reaching 75% of failure loads of the control specimens. The third group was investigated in order to represent the practical case of strengthening a loaded column with FRP laminates. All specimens were loaded until failure. The results show that GFRP laminates enhances both failure load and ductility response of eccentrically loaded column. Moreover, the study also illustrates the effect of confinement on the first crack load, lateral deformation, strain in reinforcement and failure pattern. Based on the analysis of the experimental results, a simple model has been proposed to predict the improvement of load carrying capacity under different eccentricity ratios. The predicted equation takes into consideration the eccentricity to cross section depth ratio, the ultimate strength of GFRP, the thickness of wrapping laminate, and the time of wrapping (before loading and under loading). A good correlation was obtained between experimental and analytical results.