Abstract
This article presents the results of an experimental investigation on the influence of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets on the strength of short concrete columns constructed from normal concrete (NC) and high-performance concrete (HPC). The results show that external confinement can significantly improve the ultimate strength and strain of the specimens. The stress-strain response of confined concrete depends largely on the type of concrete with regard to its compressive strength. The results demonstrate that composite columns constructed from normal concrete work in an elastic-plastic range with strengthening, whereas strengthening of columns constructed from high-performance concrete did not occur. The study indicates that the confinement.