Experimental Analysis of FRP Confined Concrete for Underwater Application

Abstract

In marine industry, current practice shows that composite materials already being used in a number of marine structures such as high and low-pressure tubing, bridge and jetty as well as accommodation modules for offshore structures. Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) confined concrete has been widely accepted in the inland construction technology as a way to reduce cost. This method seems feasible as steel structure can be filled by concrete and confined by FRP for underwater application. This study concentrates on FRP confined concrete cylindrical column specimen under axial compressive loading and Vacuum In Fusion method has been applied for FRP confinement process. The testing results showed that cylindrical column which is properly confined by FRP confinement can achieve high levels of strength and ductility if compared to those of plain concrete. Results confirmed that external confinement produced by FRP can significantly enhanced compressive strength, ductility and energy absorption capacity. The highest compressive strength is 29.32 Mpa for 1.5 mm FRP confinement and it is about 56% higher than compressive strength of specimen without FRP confinement. Stress-strain relationship, ultimate strength and ductility of specimens are analysed in detail based on experimental results.