Compressive behaviour of concrete elliptical columns confined by single hoops

The compressive behaviour of short concrete members having elliptical cross-sections and confined with single steel hoops is investigated. A simplified model for compressed concrete members with elliptical cross-sections able to determine the maximum compressive strength of confined concrete is proposed. Based on equilibrium consideration the confining pressures due to steel hoops, referring to a fictitious reduced area of the confined core, were determined. Therefore, the stress-train curves of confined concrete are generated by using compatibility conditions and referring to a fictitious equivalent compressed cylinder. Finally analytical results are compared with experimental values available in the literature showing good agreement. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.