Date of Defense
19-11-2025 11:00 AM
Location
F1-1117
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
College
College of Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Prof. Tamer El Maaddawy
Keywords
Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM), Circular RC Columns, Internal Transverse Steel Reinforcement, Concentric Compression, Eccentric Compression, Confinement Pressure, Numerical Modeling, Parametric Study, Interaction Diagrams.
Abstract
Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites are considered a promising alternative for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) columns due to the noncorrosive nature of the fiber strands and the enhanced thermal resistance of the cementitious mortar. The interaction between the confinement provided by the internal steel ties and the external FRCM composites represents a key parameter that has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The complexity of this combined FRCM–steel confinement mechanism increases under eccentric compression loading, which is commonly encountered in practical applications. This study aimed to investigate the structural behavior of short circular RC columns confined with FRCM composites under concentric and eccentric compression through numerical simulation. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) column models were developed with the adoption of constitutive laws capable of capturing the nonlinear behavior of the constituent materials. The FE models were validated against published experimental data, showing a margin of error within 10% for the peak load. A comprehensive parametric study was carried out to assess the influence of key parameters on the structural performance of FRCM-confined short circular RC columns under different loading conditions. The effects of load eccentricity and the presence of internal steel ties on the confinement mechanism were identified. A realistic stress–strain model for concrete confined with dual confinement provided by transverse steel hoops and FRCM wraps was developed. The proposed model produced predictions that differed from those of the adopted reference model by no more than ±2.5%. Interaction diagrams predicting the strength of FRCM-wrapped columns were introduced. Design recommendations were provided to guide practitioners and researchers in the design of circular RC columns confined with FRCM composites under both concentric and eccentric compression.
Included in
NUMERICAL MODELING OF CIRCULAR REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS CONFINED WITH FRCM COMPOSITES
F1-1117
Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites are considered a promising alternative for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) columns due to the noncorrosive nature of the fiber strands and the enhanced thermal resistance of the cementitious mortar. The interaction between the confinement provided by the internal steel ties and the external FRCM composites represents a key parameter that has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The complexity of this combined FRCM–steel confinement mechanism increases under eccentric compression loading, which is commonly encountered in practical applications. This study aimed to investigate the structural behavior of short circular RC columns confined with FRCM composites under concentric and eccentric compression through numerical simulation. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) column models were developed with the adoption of constitutive laws capable of capturing the nonlinear behavior of the constituent materials. The FE models were validated against published experimental data, showing a margin of error within 10% for the peak load. A comprehensive parametric study was carried out to assess the influence of key parameters on the structural performance of FRCM-confined short circular RC columns under different loading conditions. The effects of load eccentricity and the presence of internal steel ties on the confinement mechanism were identified. A realistic stress–strain model for concrete confined with dual confinement provided by transverse steel hoops and FRCM wraps was developed. The proposed model produced predictions that differed from those of the adopted reference model by no more than ±2.5%. Interaction diagrams predicting the strength of FRCM-wrapped columns were introduced. Design recommendations were provided to guide practitioners and researchers in the design of circular RC columns confined with FRCM composites under both concentric and eccentric compression.