Anchorage strength models for end-debonding predictions in RC beams strengthened with FRP composites

The increase in the flexural capacity of RC beams obtained by externally bonding FRP composites to their tension side is often limited by the premature and brittle debonding of the external reinforcement. An in-depth understanding of this complex failure mechanism, however, has not yet been achieved. With specific regard to end-debonding failure modes, extensive experimental observations reported in the literature highlight the important distinction, often neglected in strength models proposed by researchers, between the peel-off and rip-off end-debonding types of failure. The peel-off failure is generally characterized by a failure plane located within the first few millimetres of the concrete cover, whilst the rip-off failure penetrates deeper into the concrete cover and propagates along the tensile steel reinforcement. A new rip-off strength model is described in this paper. The model proposed is based on the Chen and Teng peel-off model and relies upon additional theoretical considerations. The influence of the amount of the internal tensile steel reinforcement and the effective anchorage length of FRP are considered and discussed. The validity of the new model is analyzed further through comparisons with test results, findings of a numerical investigation, and a parametric study. The new rip-off strength model is assessed against a database comprising results from 62 beams tested by various researchers and is shown to yield less conservative results. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 373–388, May–June, 2008.     

An improved closed-form solution to interfacial stresses in rc beams strengthened with a composite plate

The strengthening of concrete structures in situ with externally bonded fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite sheets is increasingly being used for the repair and rehabilitation of existing structures. However, debonding along the FRP-concrete interface can lead to premature failure of the structures. The interfacial stresses have played a significant role in understanding this premature debonding failure of such repaired structures. In this paper, an improved theoretical analysis of the interfacial stresses is presented for a simply supported concrete beam bonded with a FRP plate. The shear strains of the adherends have been included in the present theoretical analysis by assuming a parabolic distribution of shear stress across their thickness. Contrary to some existing studies, the assumption that both adherends have the same curvature is not used in the present investigation. The results of this numerical study are beneficial for understanding the mechanical behavior of material interfaces and for the design of hybrid FRP-reinforced concrete structures.     

An experimentally based analytical model for the shear capacity of FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete beams

This paper deals with the shear strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) flexural members with externally bonded Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRPs). The interaction between an external FRP and an internal transverse steel reinforcement is not considered in actual code recommendations, but it strongly influences the efficiency of the shear strengthening rehabilitation technique and, as a consequence, the computation of interacting contributions to the nominal shear strength of beams. This circumstance is also discussed on the basis of the results of an experimental investigation of rectangular RC beams strengthened in shear with “U-jacketed” carbon FRP sheets. Based on experimental results of the present and other investigations, a new analytical model for describing the shear capacity of RC beams strengthened according to the most common schemes (side-bonded and “U-jacketed”), taking into account the interaction between steel and FRP shear strength contributions, is proposed. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 339–356, May–June, 2008.     

An analytical study on the bond behaviour between an externally bonded FRP and concrete in the case of continuous beams

One of the greatest challenges in structural engineering nowadays is the strengthening, upgrading, and retrofitting of existing structures. The use of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) bonded to the tension face of a structural member is an attractive technique in this field of application. The strengthening of reinforced concrete structures by means of an externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) is achieved by gluing a FRP laminate to the concrete substrate. For an efficient utilization of the FRP EBR systems, an effective stress transfer is required between the FRP and concrete. The paper discusses the bond behaviour between a FRP and concrete in the case of flexural strengthening of continuous beams. With respect to this type of beams, only a few studies have been reported, though continuous members often occur in concrete constructions. The structural behaviour of statically indeterminate elements is typically characterized by redistributions of the internal forces. These distributions are related to the nonlinear deformations of the beams and has also a distinct influence on the bond behaviour between the FRP and concrete. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 389–402, May–June, 2008.     

An analysis of the joint operation of a CFRP concrete in flexural elements

The strength and fracture mechanism of the contact zone between a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and concrete in flexural structural elements is investigated. Two methods for calculating the shear force in the contact zone are considered, one of which takes into account the compliance of the zone and gives results agreeing rather well with experimental data for beams, regardless of the way the CFRP is fastened to concrete. The method of shear stresses is good for beams with in significant shear strains between CFRP and concrete. A method allowing for hardening of the contact zone is suggested. It is shown that the fracture mechanism of the zone depends on the way of fastening the CFRP and the depth the adhesive penetrates into concrete. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 687–700, September–October, 2007.     

Effect of shear stiffness and concrete wedge cone failure on fracture of a fiber-reinforced plastic rod at an intersection with a concrete crack

Experimental results of model speciments in which FRP rods fractured due to local deformation at a crack intersection in a concrete member were analyzed by a 3D nonlinear finite element method in which orthogonal anisotropy of the FRP rod was considered. The analytical results indicated that accurate prediction of shear modulus of the FRP rod and size of concrete wedge cone failure around the FRP rod was significant to predict deformation and fracture of the FRP rod. FRP rods as reinforcement in concrete members, the small shear modulus, because of the orthogonal anisotropy and the wedge cone failure, may prevent the FRP rod from fracturing at a very low tensile stress due to the local deformation at the crack intersection.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga, October, 1995.Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 158–166, March–April, 1996.     

Strengthening of RC beams with an innovative timber-FRP composite system

The results of a theoretical and experimental research project on the use of an innovative technique for strengthening concrete beams are presented. A spacer element is inserted between the tension side of a beam and the composite material to increase its lever arm and to enhance the over all stiffness of the strengthened beam. The main aim of this exploratory project was to increase the ultimate failure load of strengthened beam specimens, whilst guaranteeing acceptable over all deflections at the serviceability limit states. This resulted into a significant reduction in the amount of FPR required and in a better utilization of the materials employed. A preliminary theoretical study was carried out to investigate the effect of Young’s modulus, failure strain, and thickness of the element to be used as a spacer in order to determine the best possible candidate material. Three tests on 2.5-m-long beams were carried out, and different anchorage techniques were used to try and prevent the debonding of the strengthening system. The results from this pilot study are very promising, as the strengthening system ensures an adequate initial stiffness along with an improved ultimate flexural capacity. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 403–416, May–June, 2008.     

Effect of Coulomb friction on the fiber/matrix debonding and matrix cracking in unidirectional fiber-reinforced brittle-matrix composites

A model for a macroscopic crack transverse to bridging fibers is developed based upon the Coulomb friction law, instead of the hypothesis of a constant frictional shear stress usually assumed in fiber/matrix debonding and matrix cracking analyses. The Lamé formulation, together with the Coulomb friction law, is adopted to determine the elastic states of fiber/matrix stress transfer through a frictionally constrained interface in the debonded region, and a modified shear lag model is used to evaluate the elastic responses in the bonded region. By treating the debonding process as a particular problem of crack propagation along the interface, the fracture mechanics approach is adopted to formulate a debonding criterion allowing one to determine the debonding length. By using the energy balance approach, the critical stress for propagating a semi-infinite fiber-bridged crack in a unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite is formulated in terms of friction coefficient and debonding toughness. The critical stress for matrix cracking and the corresponding stress distributions calculated by the present Coulomb friction model is compared with those predicted by the models of constant frictional shear stress. The effect of Poisson contraction caused by the stress re distribution between the fiber and matrix on the matrix cracking mechanics is shown and discussed in the present analysis. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 171–190, March–April, 2007.     

Moment redistribution in continuous reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer laminates

The results of tests on continuous steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (RC) beams, with and without an external strengthening, are presented. The internal flexural steel reinforcement was designed so that to allow steel yielding before the collapse of the beams. To prevent the shear failure, steel stirrups were used. The tests also included two nonstrengthened control beams; the other specimens were strengthened with different configurations of externally bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. In order to prevent the premature failure from delamination of the CFRP strengthening, a wrapping was also applied. The experimental results obtained show that it is possible to achieve a sufficient degree of moment redistribution if the strengthening configuration is chosen properly, confirming the results provided by two simple numerical models. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 667–686, September–October, 2007.     

Bond of FRP Reinforcement in Concrete - a Challenge

The bond of ordinary steel reinforcement in concrete depends on many factors, such as the pullout resistance, the geometry of a concrete member, the placement of a bar in the member cross section, the cover splitting, the confinement caused by concrete and the surrounding reinforcement, the order of bond-crack appearance, and the bond-stress distribution along the bond length. The bond of FRP reinforcement depends on even a greater number of factors. Moreover, the types of FRP bars are numerous. Their surface is weaker than that of steel bars and may fracture by bond forces. The surface of FRP bars is softer and does not create as high local stress concentrations in bond contact points to concrete as the harder steel bars do. This fact often delays the appearance of cover splitting cracks along the bars. However, the load necessary for developing the crack pattern of ultimate splitting failure in concrete is then very dependent on whether the bar surface is glossy or rough. The FRP reinforcement can also be used for external shear and/or flexural strengthening of existing members. For this application, FRP bars are placed in grooves cut on the surface of the member to be strengthened and are fixed there with a cement mortar or epoxy paste. In such an application, the performance of bond between the FRP rod and the mortar or resin and then between the mortar or resin and concrete is critical for the effectiveness of the technique. The presence of two interfaces increases the number of parameters needed to characterize the global joint behavior and introduces new possible failure modes. The fundament for the bond resistance estimation should be an accepted bond philosophy linked to appropriate models. A system of bond tests should provide necessary coefficients for the models.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of a composite beam for bridge structures

Results of an experimental and theoretical investigation of composite beams as elements of bridge superstructure are presented. Experiments on beams of two types — made of wood and the same beams with a composite sheath — were carried out. The rigidity of the beams of the second type was about twice as high as that of the first ones. The classical bending model of composite beams gave deflections smaller than experimental ones. To reconcile these results, the model is refined by including the effect of shear. The deflections are represented as classical ones multiplied by a shear factor which depends on the bending and shear stiffnesses and the span length of the beams. As a result, a good agreement between calculations and experiments is achieved. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 449–462, July–August, 2006.     

Fracture analysis of a high-strength concrete and a high-strength steel-fiber-reinforced concrete

This paper addresses the use of R-curves to study the fracture behavior of high-strength concrete and steel-fiber-reinforced concrete subjected to crack ing in a three-point bending configuration. The R-curves are modeled through an effective approach based on the equations of linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), which relates the applied load to the fundamental displacements of notched-through beams loaded monotonically. It is initially shown that, for quasi-brittle materials, the R-curves responses can be evaluated in a quasi-analytical way, using the load-crack mouth opening, the load-load line displacement, or exclusively the displacement responses obtained experimentally. Afterward, the methodology is used to obtain the fracture responses of high-strength and fiber-reinforced concretes, up to the final stages of rupture. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 701–710, September–October, 2007.     

Design equations for the assessment and FRP-strengthening of reinforced rectangular concrete columns under combined biaxial bending and axial loads

A simple procedure is proposed for the assessment of reinforced rectangular concrete columns under combined biaxial bending and axial loads and for the design of a correct amount of FRP-strengthening for underdesigned concrete sections. Approximate closed-form equations are developed based on the load contour method originally proposed by Bresler for reinforced concrete sections. The 3D failure surface is approximated along its contours, at a constant axial load, by means of equations given as the sum of the acting/resisting moment ratio in the directions of principal axes of the sections, raised to a power depending on the axial load, the steel reinforcement ratio, and the section shape. The method is extended to FRP-strengthened sections. Moreover, to make it possible to apply the load contour method in a more practical way, simple closed-form equations are developed for rectangular reinforced concrete sections with a two-way steel reinforcement and FRP strengthenings on each side. A comparison between the approach proposed and the fiber method (which is considered exact) shows that the simplified equations correctly represent the section interaction diagram. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 443–462, May–June, 2008.     

Failure of particulate reinforced polymers

In this presentation, a review is given on the main effects of mineral particulate fillers (with an aspect ratio of about unity) on the deformation and fracture of amorphous and semicrystalline thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Elastomeric modifiers, polymer blends, and filled elastomers are not considered here. Fillers are generally used to reduce cost as well as the thermal sensitivity of mechanical properties of the matrix material and to improve, if possible, the strength and toughness. The addition of particulate fillers influences all stages of the fabrication and use of the resulting composites. We focus on the effects of a stiff second phase on elastic moduli, matrix structure, and on deformation, creep, and failure mechanisms. As the main mechanisms, particle-matrix debonding, void formation, and matrix microshear yielding are identified. Toughness is less sensitive to the quality of adhesion since particle-matrix debonding and formation of voids can be tolerated. If well controlled, debonding contributes to deformation (formation of voids should be well distributed in space and time). Reference is also made to the surprising and positive effect of CaCO₃ particles on the toughness and impact resistance of HDPE, which increases at small interparticle distances due to interfacial effects on lamellar growth in the ligament area. Submitted to the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000). Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 305–316, March–April, 2000.     

Stability of round concrete columns confined by composite wrappings

External confinement by the wrapping of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets is a very effective method for the strengthening and retrofit of round concrete columns. The stability and strength of concrete columns confined by carbon FRP jackets in which the fibers are oriented in the hoop direction was studied. Stability tests were conducted on hinged plain and confined concrete columns of different slenderness. The theoretically predicted critical stress at the on set of in stability was compared with that obtained experimentally, and a good agreement between them was observed. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 657–666, September–October, 2007.     

Dynamic assessment of reinforced concrete beams repaired with externally bonded FRP sheets

This research deals with RC beams strengthened with FRP. An experimental research is presented which is aimed at evaluating the capability of an experimental modal analysis to assess the stiffness decrease due to damage, as well as the stiffness recovery due to strengthening. Ten beams were tested. All of them were subjected to loading cycles with increasing load levels in order to induce cracking of different severity in them. The beams were then retrofitted by externally bonded FRP sheets. Three types of composites were used. The number of layers was varied, too. Modal tests were carried out after each loading-unloading cycle. The modal frequencies and damping ratios were determined for the first four vibration modes. The results obtained indicate that an experimental modal analysis can give useful information on the severity of damage and the effectiveness of strengthening. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 3–20, January–February, 2006.     

Fracture of fiber-reinforced materials

The fracture behaviour of fiber-reinforced materials is studied in this paper. Using a simple shear lag model, which includes friction at the debonded interface and the Poisson contraction of the fiber, the fiber-matrix debonding problem is solved. This gives the relationship between debonding load and debonded length. Interfacial friction is shown to have a significant effect on the debonding load. The fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced materials due to fiber debonding, frictional dissipation at fibre-matrix interface following debonding and other micro-fracture mechanisms is discussed with reference to strong and weak fibres. Finally, the strength and toughness of short fibre-reinforced materials are given.On leave from Harbin Shipbuilding Engineering Institute, Harbin, China     

Bond-slip behavior of CFRP plate-concrete interface

The paper deals with evaluation of the bond performance between a CFRP plate and concrete with respect to various compressive strengths of concrete and bond lengths of the CFRP plate as parameters. To consider stress conditions in the tensile zone of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, double-lap axial tension tests were conducted for eight specimens with CFRP plates bonded to concrete prisms. In addition, a simple linear bond-slip model for the CFRP plate/concrete joints, developed from the bond tests, was used. To verify the model proposed, a total of seven RC beams were strengthened with CFRP plates and tested in flexure employing various bond lengths, strengthening methods, and numbers of CFRP plates. A nonlinear finite-element analysis, with the bond–slip model incorporated in the DIANA program, was performed for the strengthened RC beams. Also, the results of flexural test and analytical predictions are found to be in close agreement in terms of yield and ultimate loads and ductility.     

Investigation of free vibrations of composite beams by using the finite-difference method

The free-vibration behavior of symmetrically laminated fiber-reinforced composite beams with different boundary conditions is examined. The effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia, separately and/or in combination, on the free-vibration properties of the beams are investigated. The finite-difference method is used to solve the partial differential equations describing the free-vibration motion in each case. The effect of shear deformation on the natural frequencies is considerable, especially for higher frequencies, whereas the influence of rotary inertia is less significant. The study includes comparisons with results available in the literature. In addition, the impact of such factors as the span/depth ratio, fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and material type on free vibrations of the composite beams is investigated. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 331–346, May–June, 2006.     

Load-deflection analysis of concrete elements reinforced with FRP rebars

The behavior of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) concrete elements under service conditions is analyzed. Taking into account the real constitutive law of materials and local bond-slip law which adequately describes the interaction between the FRP reinforcement and concrete, a numerical procedure is proposed for obtaining moment-curvature relationships for a cracked beam element. Using the moment-curvature laws, the load-deflection analysis of FRP concrete beams is carried out. To study the influence of geometric and mechanical parameters, a numerical investigation was carried out and the results obtained were compared with those from other methods and Codes. The results of the experimental investigation are described and compared with those of the proposed procedure; the comparison shows good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results.