ABSTRACT
The ductility and strength of concrete can be improved by lateral confining pressure from the hoops and steel sections in SRC columns. Thus, with the increased compressive strain of confined concrete, the strain compatibility issue between high-strength steel and concrete, which was described in a previous chapter, can be solved. In addition to the confinement effect, the Germans are taking advantage of the time-dependent effects of creep and shrinkage to increase concrete compressive strain (Falkner et al.). This confirms that the yield strength of high-strength reinforcing steel can be fully exploited in RC columns if stress redistribution due to shrinkage and creep is taken into account.
