Experimental and Analytical Codes Comparative Study for Enhanced BFRP R.C. Columns Under Different Types of Loading

In this study, the most modern Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites, Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) bars, have been used to reinforce concrete columns as main longitudinal reinforcement bars, under the effect of both concentric and eccentric loading setup, 50 mm from Reinforced Concrete (R.C.) column center. Eight full-scale R.C. columns with longitudinal steel bars or BFRP bars have been tested. The spacing between the mild steel stirrups has been 200 mm. Some of the R.C. columns have been enhanced externally with BFRP wrapping sheets as strips with a width of 100 mm and at a spacing of 200 mm measured from the BFRP wrapping sheet’s center and arranged between mild steel stirrups in order to minimize the free length of confinement to study the effect of BFRP wrapping sheets in enhancing of concrete column capacity. The test results have confirmed the significant enhancement in concrete confinement efficiency in BFRP R.C. columns, especially in the concentric case. An analytical study has been carried out to compare the design equations in different codes with each other. In addition, the obtained results yield a proposed design equation for the R.C. column with BFRP bars and strengthened externally with BFRP sheets.