Compressive strength of concrete cylinders with variable widths CFRP wraps: Experimental study and numerical modeling

There is an urgent need for models that can accurately predict performance of fiber-wrapped concrete columns. Axial compression tests on a total of 30 carbon-wrapped concrete cylinders of normal concrete and different number of wraps and height of confinement were used to verify the finite model. A nonlinear finite element model with a non-associative Drucker–Prager plasticity was used. The model compared favorably with test results. It was concluded that the adhesive bond between concrete and the wrap would not significantly affect the confinement behavior. From tests results, one can conclude that the wider the wrap, the higher the strength, also the thicker the wrap the higher the strength. However, it was impossible to reach a clear conclusion on the effect of the combination of variation of number of CFRP wraps and height of confinement. In a couple of cases, the same amount of material resulted in the same increase in the strength of the cylinders.