Axial strains in FRP-confined normal-and high-strength concrete: an examination of strain measurement methods

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the axial strain measurement method of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)-confined normal-and high-strength concrete (NSC and HSC). A total of 15 FRP-confined concrete specimens with circular cross-sections were tested under monotonic axial compression. Axial strain recordings were compared on specimens instrumented with three different measurement methods: axial strain gauges and full-and mid-height linear variable displacement transformers (LVDTs). The ultimate conditions are tabulated for each measurement method and key experimental outcomes discussed. The results indicate that axial strains of FRP-confined HSC are highly sensitive to the instrumentation arrangement and significant differences occur in the results obtained from different measurement methods.