Efficiency of CFRP strips as a substitute for carbon steel stirrups in RC columns

Abstract

It has been shown that the corrosion of the reinforcing bar can significantly affect the strength and ductility of concrete structures. This study proposed the use of CFRP strips as a substitute for carbon steel stirrups in RC columns to decrease the effects of corrosion. An experimental program comprising of four columns was employed to investigate the cyclic response of RC columns transversely reinforced by CFRP strips. All columns had similar material properties and reinforcement ratios, but their transverse reinforcements were different. The obtained results showed that the RC columns transversely reinforced by CFRP strips had a larger ultimate load and effective yield strength when compared with the reference column that was transversely reinforced by carbon steel. Besides, the stiffness degradation rate of CFRP confined columns was slower, and they were able to dissipate more energy when compared with the reference column. The columns confined with CFRP strips also exhibited a slightly larger displacement ductility ratio.