Untitled

Abstract

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites may be successfully used in numerous structural strengthening applications. One of these applications is as a confining material for reinforced concrete structural elements. Research has shown its effectiveness both in seismic retrofit of existing reinforced concrete columns as well as in new construction of concretefilled composite tubes as earthquake-resistant columns. Several researchers have conducted experiments and introduced analytical models, mostly empirical, fitted with relatively limited experimental data. These models can be used to predict the confined concrete strength of cylindrical specimens. In this article, a series of twelve analytical models are evaluated using a quite extensive experimental database. The database includes a total of 639 cylindrical concrete specimens confined with carbon or glass fibers. The evaluation of each model's performance was carried out using novel statistical methods. Generally, it was observed that the type of the fibers used does affect the analytical model's prediction accuracy. In general, newer models have higher efficacy compared to older ones, and the equations suggested by the Eurocodes provide safe design tools regardless of unconfined compressive concrete strength and type of confining material. Moreover, using this extended database an empirical model was developed, and its performance compared to that of the twelve models. The results indicate that the simple proposed model exhibits excellent all-around performance.