Behaviour of novel FRP RC columns under axial loading

The behaviour concrete structures reinforced with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have been widely studied in recent years. Nowadays, several codes and design guidelines are available for the design of concrete members reinforced with FRP bars under shear and flexural loads. However, little research has been conducted investigating the axial behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) columns with FRP bars. Due to insufficient research, these guidelines do not recommend including the contribution of FRP longitudinal reinforcement in the capacity calculations in compression members, such as columns. The aim of the study is to investigate the axial performance of RC compression members internally reinforced with basalt (BFRP), carbon (CFRP) and glass (GFRP) bars. One of the main parameters for the investigation is the influence of FRP stirrups and their spacing on the behaviour of the columns through experimental and theoretical work. The experimental programme is conducted in two stages; in the first stage of the pilot study, the influence of BFRP and GFRP bars with steel links and anchorage system is investigated. In the second stage, the main experimental programme, the effectiveness of CFRP and GFRP bars, and stirrups with different stirrup spacing are studied.