Tests of polypropylene macro synthetic fibers and GFRP reinforced concrete columns subjected to concentric and eccentric loading

Literature is deficient in exploring the structural efficiency of polypropylene macro synthetic structural fiber reinforced concrete (RC) columns (PMC columns) having glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars. The illustrated investigation aimed to study the axial compressive efficiency of GFRP-RC columns containing polypropylene macro synthetic structural fibers (GPMC columns) under different loading eccentricities. Eighteen (18) columns were manufactured having a height of 1200 mm and a diameter of 300 mm. Eight (8) samples were manufactured employing GFRP reinforcement and the other eight (8) samples consisted of steel rebars (SPMC columns). The axial strength (AS), failure modes, axial shortening, axial load-axial shortening curves, and cracking patterns were evaluated under different eccentricities. The testing results illustrated that the SPMC samples exhibited higher AS and less ductility than GPMC samples. Both GPMC and SPMC samples illustrated similar failure efficiency. The eccentric shortening resulted in similar drops in AS for both GPMC and SPMC samples. This investigation put forward a durable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant concrete shortening structural member that can be employed in marine and coastal regions.

Automated summary

This study investigated the performance of GFRP-RC columns and SPMC columns under different loading eccentricities, comparing their axial compressive efficiency, failure modes, and axial shortening. The results showed that GFRP-RC columns exhibited higher ductility, while SPMC columns had higher axial strength.