Performance of UPVC Pipe Confined Concrete Columns in Compression

Gathimba, Naftary Kimenju (2015) Performance of UPVC Pipe Confined Concrete Columns in Compression. Masters thesis, Jomo Kenyatta University.

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Abstract

Composite columns have been used in construction industry with great efficiency for a number of years. This is because composite column offers a superior column system as compared to the conventional column systems such as Reinforced concrete (RC), steel or timber columns. The reason in that composite column utilizes the combined properties of different individual materials. Steel and fiber reinforced polymer tubes have been the commonly used confining media in concrete encased column construction. However, steel is faced with the problem of corrosion especially when used in corrosive environment while manufacture of fiber reinforced polymer involves a rather expensive technology. This research proposed a novel-type concrete-filled composite column where unplasticized polyvinylchloride (UPVC) plastic tube was used toconfine concrete.Concrete of varying class strengths namely; C30, C25, and C20 were used to fill UPVC tubes. The tubes had outer diameters of 55 mm, 83 mm and 110 mm and thicknesses of 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 2.5 mm respectively. The composite columns had slenderness ratios of 2, 3 and 4. The columns were then tested on a universal testing machine (UTM) to determine their behaviour under compressive load. Applied loads, deformation and strains on the specimen were monitored through in-built load cells, Linear Variable Displacement Transducers (LVDTs) and strain gauges respectively. Results showed that UPVC pipes are effective in confining concrete, since in all cases f'cc/f'co>1. Confined strength values increased between 1.18 to 3.65 times the unconfined strength values. Columns filled with low strength concrete tended to be more ductile as since they underwent large deformations under load before failure. This great ductility implied more energy absorption capacity suggesting a potentially earthquake resistant composite column system. There is enormous potential of UPVC tubes for use in composite systems as illustrated by this research. The resultant is a cheap, more economical type of column for light weight construction. The principal target audience for this project is individuals involved in application of building materials within the construction industry. Since the use of UPVC in confining column is a relatively new area of research, limited literature was available. Long term performance of these columns was also not studied.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Mr Nahum Osman
Date Deposited:	27 Jul 2016 14:24
Last Modified:	28 Jul 2016 05:48
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/852

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