This
paper presents a design procedure for FRP jackets for the strengthening of
short circular RC columns. The proposed procedure is limited to FRP jackets
which are continuous over a strengthened region of the column and possess
fibers oriented solely or predominantly in the hoop direction. The design
procedure gives due attention to a number of significant issues: (a) the
ultimate hoop strain of FRP jacket; (b) the stress-strain model; (c) the
slenderness limit for short columns; and (d) the definition of an equivalent
stress block for approximate section analysis. The design proposal has been
developed within the framework of the Chinese code for the design of concrete
structures (GB-50010 2002) for inclusion in the draft Chinese code for the
application of FRP composites in construction.