Dilation behavior of FRP-confined concrete

Abstract

Two large experimental test databases that consist of 976 axial compression tests results of FRP-confined concrete and 346 triaxial test results of actively confined concrete specimens were used to investigate and quantify the factors that influence the dilation behavior of confined concrete. A generic model, developed on the basis of the databases, to describe the lateral strain-to-axial strain relationship of both passively and actively confined concretes is presented. The model accurately predicts the shape of the lateral stain-to-axial strain curves and critical coordinates along the curves, including the ultimate strains of FRP-confined concrete, and the peak and residual strains of actively confined concrete. The trend of the lateral strain-to-axial strain relationship of confined concrete is shown to be a function of the concrete strength, confining material and confining pressure. Assessment of the proposed model with the experimental databases showed that the model predictions are in good agreement with the test results.