To predict the load carrying capacity of a circular hollow section (CHS) tube reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), both numerical and theoretical analyses were presented. In the numerical analysis, nonlinear finite element model of CHS tube reinforced with CFRP was built, and the load carrying capacity of such tube under axial compression was obtained through finite element analysis for this model. The accuracy of the finite element result was verified through comparison with reported experimental results. Based on the stress distribution of the longitudinal and circumferential CFRPs from the finite element analysis, it is found that the circumferential CFRPs are under tension and they produce confinement to the radial deformation of the CHS tube while the longitudinal CFRPs sustain the axial compression together with the steel tube. From such observation, an equivalent section method is presented, and it is used to derive theoretical equations for predicting the load carrying capacity of CHS tubes reinforced with CFRPs. The theoretical equations consider two different reinforcing methods, i.e., the placement of the longitudinal and the circumferential CFRPs. Finally, the derived equations are evaluated through comparison against experimental results to verify their reliability. 

Key words: CHS tubes reinforced with CFRPs; axial compression; load carrying capacity; finite element analysis; equivalent section method