Behavior of eccentrically loaded slender concrete columns reinforced with CFRP bars

In a highly corrosive environment, corrosion is the main factor leading to deterioration and eventual failure of conventional reinforced or prestressed concrete structures. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) are considered as an alternative to steel reinforcement due to its excellent corrosion resistance. This investigation was conducted to establish the feasibility of using CFRP cables as reinforcing elements in reinforced concrete columns. Besides investigating durability of CFRP cables in adverse environments (alkali and sea water) experimental and theoretical studies were carried out to study the behavior of CFRP reinforced concrete slender columns under combined axial load and bending moment. Exposure to air, sea water and alkali environments with alternating wet/dry cycles had no adverse effect on the strength of the CFRP cables. The CFRP reinforced concrete columns subjected to eccentric loads exhibited excellent ultimate load capacity. Feasibility of using CFRP cables in the reinforced concrete columns is assessed based on deflections, strains, curvatures, crack distributions, first crack loads and ultimate loads.