Experimental investigation of stress–strain behavior of CFRP confined Low Strength Concrete (LSC) cylinders

•A parametric experimental study on Low Strength Concrete (LSC) cylinders.•Investigating the effects of varying the number of CFRP layers and unconfined concrete strength of cylinders on the performance and mechanics of confined concrete.•The aim is to predict the behavior of LSC cylinders and evaluate the enhancement in strength and ductility as a result of external confinement with high strength CFRP wraps.•A significant up gradation in compressive strength and ductility of CFRP wrapped LSC confined cylinders was observed.•A large increase in compressive strength can be attained even for low strength concrete, with the application of high strength CFRP composites. Therefore, existing deficient structures could be effectively strengthened which will recover their original state and enable them to survive even larger potential earthquakes. The research presents a parametric experimental study on Low Strength Concrete (LSC) cylinders. The variables include the number of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) layers and unconfined compressive strength of concrete. The aim is to predict the behavior of confined LSC cylinders and evaluate the enhancement in strength and ductility due to this external confinement with high strength CFRP wraps. The experimental results revealed a significant up gradation in compressive strength and ductility of CFRP wrapped LSC cylinders and showed a substantial contribution of this external confinement to the overall stability and stiffness of this composite system. The research concluded that various existing but seismic deficient concrete structures could be effectively strengthened with CFRP technique; which will not only recover their original state but also enable them to survive even larger potential earthquakes due to improved strength and ductility.