ABSTRACT
Confinement was provided by using unidirectional CFRP wraps of different heights and spacing. CFRP wraps used in the study have ultimate tensile strength of 4100 MPa, tensile modulus of elasticity of 231000 MPa and fibre density of 1.78 gms./cm3. In all confined specimens overlap of 102 mm was provided and corners of rectangular columns were also rounded to avoid sharp edges. The pattern of fabric was perpendicular to the applied load. Three plain concrete (PC) and reinforced concrete (RC) columns served as control specimens. Three columns were cast for each confinement scheme; one was tested with concentric load whereas two were tested with eccentric load. All the columns were tested in uniaxial compression with load applied at either at zero eccentricity or an eccentricity of 19 mm to determine the load carrying capacities of confined and unconfined columns.
