Although reinforced concrete (RC) columns subjected to combined axial compression and flexural loads (i.e., eccentric load) are the most common structural members used in practice, research on FRP-confined circular RC columns subjected to eccentric axial compression has been very limited. More specifically, the available eccentric-loading models were mainly based on existing concentric stress-strain models of FRP-confined unreinforced concrete columns of small scale. The strength and ductility of FRP-strengthened slender circular RC columns predicted using these models showed significant errors. In light of such demand to date, this paper presents a stress-strain model for FRP-confined circular reinforced concrete (RC) columns under eccentric axial compression. The model is mainly based on observations of tests and results reported in the technical literature, in which 207 results of FRP-confined circular unreinforced and reinforced concrete columns were carefully studied and analyzed. A model for the axial-flexural interaction of FRP-confined concrete is also provided. Based on a full parametric analysis, a simple formula of the slenderness limit for FRP-strengthened RC columns is further provided. The proposed model considers the effects of key parameters such as longitudinal and hoop steel reinforcement, level of FRP hoop confinement, slenderness ratio, presence of longitudinal FRP wraps, and varying eccentricity ratio. The accuracy of the proposed model is finally validated through comparisons made between the predictions and the compiled test results.
Keywords: FRP strengthening; axial–flexural interaction; circular columns; reinforced concrete; slender; stress–strain model.