Residual Axial Capacity Comparison of CFFT and RC Bridge Columns after Fire

The fire performance of protected concrete-filled fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tube (CFFT) and conventional reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns is studied through two phases of experimental research comprised of fire exposure and residual axial capacity tests. Two one-fifth scale CFFT columns and two one-fifth scale conventional RC columns having similar axial and flexural capacities were subjected to two durations of extreme temperature exposure. The CFFT columns were protected by the Tyfo® CFP fire protection system during the experiments. Subsequently, the post-fire robustness of the columns was quantified by measuring the residual axial capacity characteristics of each column. The protected CFFT columns exhibited superior axial strength and stiffness retention compared to the RC columns after fire exposure.