Year

2016

Degree Name

Master of Engineering - Research

Department

School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

This study provides an experimental investigation of the behaviour of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) tube reinforced concrete (FTRC) specimens under different loading conditions. Four groups of 16 specimens with diameter of 200 mm and height of 800 mm were cast and tested. Specimens in the first group (Group REF) which is reference group were reinforced with longitudinal steel bars and steel helixes. Specimens in the second group (Group ST) were reinforced with intact glass FRP tubes. Specimens in the third group (Group ST-G) were also reinforced with intact glass FRP tubes. In addition, polymer grid was embedded into the concrete cover to reduce the cover spalling. Specimens in the fourth group (Group PT) were reinforced with perforated glass FRP tubes to integrate concrete cover with concrete core. From each group, one specimen was tested under concentric loading, one specimen under 25 mm eccentric loading, one specimen under 50 mm eccentric loading, and one specimen under four-point loading. Results from the experimental study show that FRP tubes significantly increase the load carrying capacity of FTRC specimens. Group ST-G specimens performed better than the other groups of specimens. Axial load-bending moment (P-M) Interaction diagrams constructed based on the experimental results also show the enhanced performance of FTRC specimens.

In addition, the P-M behaviour of steel reinforced concrete specimens SRCs and concrete filled FRP tube specimens CFFTs is analysed theoretically. An equivalent rectangular stress block method is used for SRCs and layer by layer method is used for CFFTs. A comparison between the theoretical P-M behaviour and experimental P-M behaviour is carried out for Group REF, Group ST, and Group ST-G separately. In general, the experimental and theoretical P-M interaction diagrams exhibit the same patterns except for Group REF.

FoR codes (2008)

090506 Structural Engineering

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.