Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Cylinders by using Aluminum Alloy Sheet

Abstract

The aim of this research study is to develop an efficient and cost effective confining technique for compression elements in Pakistan using indigenous materials and local skills. The most common technique for concrete confinement is jacketing by either reinforced concrete, special concrete, steel, composite material and FRP. The issues related to current techniques are brittleness, expensive, corrosion, de-bonding and requirement of experienced labor. In the current study Aluminum Alloy sheets along with bolted connection are used for confinement of concrete. Aluminum alloys are becoming increasingly prevalent in the construction industry due to their high strength and lightweight, simplicity of fabrication, high ductility, resistance to corrosion, and distinctive appearance. Concrete cylinders of 200 mm diameter are casted and divided into seven categories based on the variables including height, number of layers of Aluminum Alloy Sheet and number of bolts. All the samples are tested under uniaxial compression. Results have shown considerable increase in ultimate strength of modified members. It is also observed that external confinement has reduced the ductility of members slightly. Modified samples has also shown greater initial stiffness and delayed initial cracking. Experimental results are compared with different analytical models. Analytical models presented by Mander (1988), Canadian Standard Association (CSA) S806-02, Kaushik & Singh (1999), and Samaan et al. (1998) have shown close correlation with experimental data.