Strengthening Concrete Columns using NSM CFRP Laminates

Abstract

In this paper, the performance of concrete columns strengthened with longitudinal near surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates is evaluated. A total of fourteen medium-scale plain specimens with square cross-section (150×150×500 mm) were prepared and tested under concentric and eccentric compressive loading up to failure. Nine of the specimens were strengthened with four CFRP laminates (10×1.2 mm), longitudinally. Different eccentricities, namely, 0, 10, 20 and 30 percent of width of the specimens were considered. The study was designed to evaluate the behavior of longitudinal NSM CFRPs in compression. Overall, the NSM CFRP laminates used in this study were crushed at 70% of their tensile strain rupture. It is concluded that the longitudinal CFRP laminates increased the load capacity of the specimens and were able to withstand the peak eccentric load without crushing, debonding, and local buckling.