Design-oriented stress–strain model for FRP-confined concrete

Abstract External confinement by the wrapping of FRP sheets (or FRP jacketing) provides a very effective method for the retrofit of reinforced concrete (RC) columns subject to either static or seismic loads. For the reliable and cost-effective design of FRP jackets, an accurate stress–strain model is required for FRP-confined concrete. In this paper, a new design-oriented stress–strain model is proposed for concrete confined by FRP wraps with fibres only or predominantly in the hoop direction based on a careful interpretation of existing test data and observations. This model is simple, so it is suitable for direct use in design, but in the meantime, it captures all the main characteristics of the stress–strain behavior of concrete confined by different types of FRP. In addition, for unconfined concrete, this model reduces directly to idealized stress–strain curves in existing design codes. In the development of this model, a number of important issues including the actual hoop strains in FRP jackets at rupture, the sufficiency of FRP confinement for a significant strength enhancement, and the effect of jacket stiffness on the ultimate axial strain, were all carefully examined and appropriately resolved. The predictions of the model are shown to agree well with test data.