Behaviour of FRP-ECC-HSC composite stub columns under axial compression: Experimental and mathematical approach

The composite stub column composed of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), Eco engineered cementitious composite (ECC), and high-strength concrete (HSC) core is experimentally investigated in this study. The ductile performance of HSC-FRP is enhanced by proving an ECC ring of 30 mm thickness as sandwich layer between HSC and FRP. During experimentation the premature failure of the FRP-HSC column is observed at the initial phase, which exhibits brittle nature of the column. The material properties of FRP, ECC, and HSC were characterized. The performance of composite columns was observed with four FEH (FRP-ECC-HSC) columns, four HE (HSC-ECC) columns, and two FH (FRP-HSC) columns. The parameters such as uniform hoop strain distribution, ultimate load-carrying capacity, axial and hoop strain, and confining efficiency of the FRP were investigated to understand the behaviour of composite columns. From results, the ultimate load-carrying capacity of FH columns was 15.56 % higher than the FEH columns. The FEH columns showed the enhanced confining efficiency of FRP and 21% increase in uniform hoop strain distribution than the FH columns. The hoop strain capacity of FEH columns were increased twice the times of FH columns, which indicates the increased ductile behaviour of the FEH columns. In addition, experimental results of composite columns were highly correlated with the existing theoretical equation from literatures

Automated summary

The experimental investigation of composite stub column composed of FRP, ECC, and HSC showed that the addition of an ECC ring as a sandwich layer between HSC and FRP enhanced the ductile performance of HSC-FRP. The ultimate load-carrying capacity of the FH columns was higher than the FEH columns, while the FEH columns exhibited improved confining efficiency and uniform hoop strain distribution compared to the FH columns.