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Numerical Analysis of Debonding Mechanisms in FRP‐Strengthened RC Beams
Author(s) -
Niu Hedong,
Wu Zhishen
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
computer‐aided civil and infrastructure engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.773
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1467-8667
pISSN - 1093-9687
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8667.2005.00402.x
Subject(s) - materials science , fibre reinforced plastic , softening , fracture mechanics , stiffness , structural engineering , composite material , flexural strength , fracture (geology) , finite element method , reinforcement , nonlinear system , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
Fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been increasingly used as externally bonded reinforcement in lieu of their steel counterpart in the rehabilitation and retrofit of existing concrete structures. Without proper understanding of interfacial fracture behavior and failure mechanisms, it is impossible to efficiently develop an effective and rational FRP bonding technique. This article is mainly focused on clarifying the debonding behavior and failure mechanisms caused by different types of flexural crack distributions in FRP‐strengthened R/C beams, which has not been solved so far. Using a discrete crack model for concrete crack propagation and a bilinear bond–slip relationship with softening behavior to represent FRP–concrete interfacial behavior, a nonlinear fracture mechanics‐based finite‐element analysis is performed to investigate the effects of crack spacing and interfacial parameters such as stiffness, local bond strength, and fracture energy on the initiation and propagation of the debonding and the structural performance. It is shown that the debonding behavior and load‐carrying capacity are significantly influenced by two important factors: interfacial fracture energy and crack spacing in relation to the effective transfer length of FRP sheets. Based on the numerical results, some suggestions concerning the effect of interfacial properties are made as practical design aids.