Axial compressive behavior of concrete actively confined by metal strips; part A: experimental study

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the application of strapping technique for retrofit of concrete compressive specimens. In this technique, standard strapping devices, which are used in the packaging industry, are applied to post-tension high strength metal strips around the concrete columns. Experimental program included axial compressive tests on 72 cylindrical and prismatic compressive specimens, which were actively confined by pre-stressed metal strips. The effects of various parameters on strength and ductility of confined concrete were studied including compressive strength of concrete, mechanical volumetric ratio of confining strips, post-tensioning force in the strip, number of strip layers wrapped around the specimens and details of strip joint. The effects of strength and ductility of confining strips on the behavior of confined specimens were also studied. Longitudinal and lateral strains of concrete and strain of the strips were monitored. Test results showed significant increase in the strength and ductility of specimens due to active confinement by metal strips. It was observed that ductility of confining material plays the most important role in enhancement of concrete ductility. The gain in strength is strongly dependent to the effective mechanical volumetric ratio of confining strips. It was also observed that the active confinement of concrete by post-tensioning the confining element results in stiffer pre-peak response of concrete specimens than the usual passive confinement.