The influence of longitudinal CFRP strips on the load-bearing capacity of RC columns

ABSTRACT

In this paper results of experimental investigations of compressed RC columns strengthened with CFRP materials (strips and sheets) are presented. The influence of longitudi-nal CFRP strengthening with transverse CFRP sheets on failure mechanism and the load-bearing capacity of specimens was analyzed. The model specimens with dimensions 80x150x600 mm and the half natural-scale columns with dimensions 200x200x1500 mm were investigated. The elements were subjected to immediate axial compression. Besides various in-tensity of strengthening, the specimens have different transversal strengthening. They were lo-cally wrapped with CFRP bands or continually wrapped with CFRP sheet (one layer).