AN INNOVATIVE FRP-CONCRETE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION FOR SEISMIC REGIONS

Using the principles of fiber-wrapping, steel-jacketing, classic steel-concrete composite construction, and pressure vessel technology, an innovative composite column is developed for seismic regions. It consists of hollow Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) tubular shell filled with plain or reinforced concrete. Unlike fiber-wrapping practice in California, the proposed system can be utilized for new construction as well as retrofitting projects. The FRP tube, while an integral part of the system, is the pour forma for concrete. It provides bi-directional reinforcement and external confinement for concrete core. It also acts as a protective jacket for Concrete and the embedded steel Behavior of the proposed colunan is studied analytically and experimentally. Results indicate significant increase in compressive and flexural strength of the column, since the shell prevents spalling of concrete under large earthquake loads. Moreover, despite oon-ductile behavior of its components, the composite columo demonstrates excellent pseudo-ductile characteristics.