Comprehensive review of FRP reinforced concrete columns: Behavior, design challenges, and performance insights

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns are fundamental structural elements in construction, and the choice of reinforcement plays a crucial role in their performance. Fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have emerged as an innovative alternative to traditional steel reinforcement, offering unique advantages and posing new challenges in column design. This comprehensive review paper delves into the multifaceted aspects of using FRP bars as both longitudinal and transverse reinforcement in concrete columns. The review begins by exploring the difference between compression and tension properties of FRP bars, emphasizing their distinct characteristics and testing methodologies. It analyzes the performance of short FRP RC columns, studying their behavior under different loading conditions, including concentric and eccentric loads. Additionally, the impact of factors such as longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios, concrete compressive strength, and failure mechanisms is investigated. The paper also extends its focus to slender FRP RC columns. By providing an overview of existing studies and delineating the slenderness limits, it sheds light on the evolving field of FRP column design. Throughout the review, available models for predicting the load‐carrying capacity of FRP RC short columns are examined and compared. Research gaps and limitations in the existing literature are highlighted, offering valuable insights for future investigations and innovations in the domain. This review paper culminates with a set of conclusions that summarize key findings and emphasize the significance of FRP bar integration in concrete columns. By collating a wealth of knowledge from the literature, this paper aims to guide researchers, engineers, and practitioners toward informed decision‐making and the advancement of FRP RC column design.