Effect of Load Path on Behavior of FRP-Confined Concrete

This paper presents an experimental study on concrete cylinders confined by fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and loaded under constant axial load and increasing bending moment. A total of 55 cylinders were tested with FRP thickness and axial force ratio being the variables. Compared with another load path of constant load eccentricity and increasing axial load, the response of the cylinders under this loading scheme was very different. It is concluded that load path has a significant effect on the stress-strain behavior of FRP-confined concrete and different stress-strain models are required for FRP-confined concrete under different load paths. Based on the test results, a stress-strain model is proposed for FRP-confined concrete under the relevant load path. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.