NUMERICAL STUDY OF STRENGTHENED SLENDER I‐GIRDERS WITH FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERS

This study demonstrates the feasibility of applying diagonal reinforcements composed by fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) on the web surface of slender steel I‐girders. The use of such reinforcements contributes to a higher shear buckling strength capacity of the beam panels. This strengthening technique was evaluated by means of numerical analysis using the finite element software Abaqus ® . In the analyzed models the connection between the reinforcement of composite material and the beam was made by structural adhesives. Additionally, beams with traditional diagonal reinforcements made of welded steel plate were simulated for comparison purposes, as well as another model without any diagonal reinforcement.