PRINCIPLES OF A DESIGN METHOD FOR RC COLUMNS REINFORCED BY CFRP UNDER ECCENTRIC COMPRESSION LOADING

This paper presents the principles of a design method for reinforced concrete columns subjected to eccentric compression loading. A model for the confinement is first described and principles of its implementation in a calculation code are then presented. Finally, the proposed method is verified against experimental results obtained from previous investigations performed at the LCPC. Theses experimentations were conducted on reinforced concrete columns cast with two different concrete types and two different internal steel reinforcements, in order to investigate both current building and bridge columns behaviour. Columns were retrofitted using four types of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers with carbon fabrics and/or carbon plates. The retrofitting of columns associated flexural strengthening coupled with confinement by wrapping. The proposed method of calculation includes the following aspects: the retrofitting effect, the geometry of the section and the eccentricity of the external load. Calculations assume great displacements. The comparison between experimental results and the design estimations are presented and the limits of the calculation method are discussed.