Finite element analysis of square concrete columns strengthened with carbon fiber composites in different configurations

This paper offers the findings of numerical study carried out to evaluate the behavior of low strength concrete columns in square section strengthen by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites and subjected to axial compression load. In this study, a three dimensional non-linear finite element formulation model has been presented using ANSYS-16.1 (software computer program) to analyse low strength concrete columns in square section strengthen by CFRP composites in different configurations, to evaluate the improvement in the ultimate load capacities of columns as a result of CFRP confinement, and to study the impact of the most important parameters such as: compressive strength of concrete, thickness of the CFRP layers jacket/strips and the presence of steel reinforcement on the performance of th modelled columns subjected to compression load. A comparison has been made between the results obtained from the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental data. The results of the numerical FEA study showed that, external strengthening with CFRP composites are very effective in upgrading the ultimate load of square concrete columns. In addition, the findings revealed good agreement between the ANSYS and the experimental test results. The results obtained from the parametric study revealed that when the CFRP layers increased from 2 to 3 layers and from 2 to 4 layers the ultimate loads of the columns increased about (2%-10%) and (7%-15%) respectively. While the compressive strength showed significant effect on the upgrade of the ultimate load, when increase the compressive strength to 42MPa and to 60 MPa, the ultimate load increased to about 220% and to about 300% respectively. The presence of steel reinforcing did not show reasonable effect on the ultimate load. (paper)