Influence of FRP wrapping techniques on the compressive behavior of concrete prisms

Results of an experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of concrete prisms with square cross-section, externally wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets are presented. The effects of the following parameters were analyzed: local reinforcement at the corners and continuous layers; horizontal and vertical discontinuous strips; number of continuous layers-length of specimens. An analytical model is proposed to determine the maximum bearing capacity of compressed concrete members with square cross-section and externally wrapped with FRP for the different configurations examined, and also able to consider the strength reduction with the length increase of concrete members. Analytical results are then compared with the experimental data available in the literature, showing good agreement. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.