Cohesive zone model of intermediate crack-induced debonding of FRP-plated concrete beam

External bonding of FRP plates or sheets has emerged as a popular method for strengthening reinforced concrete structures. Debonding along the FPR–concrete interface can lead to premature failure of the structures. In this study, debonding induced by a flexural crack in a FRP-plated concrete beam is analyzed through a nonlinear fracture mechanics method. The concrete beam and FRP plate are modeled as linearly elastic simple beams connected together through a thin layer of FRP–concrete interface. A bi-linear cohesive (bond-slip) law, which has been verified by experiments, is used to model the FRP–concrete interface as a cohesive zone. Thus a cohesive zone model for intermediate crack-induced debonding is established with a unique feature of unifying the debonding initiation and growth into one model. Closed-form solutions of interfacial stress, FRP stress and ultimate load of the plated beam are obtained and then verified with the numerical solutions based on finite element analysis. Parametric studies are carried out to demonstrate the significant effect of FRP thickness on the interface debonding. The bond-slip shape is examined specifically. In spite of its profound effect on softening zone size, the bond-slip shape has been found to have little effect on the ultimate load of the plated beam. By making use of such a unique feature, a simplified explicit expression is obtained to determine the ultimate load of the plated concrete beam with a flexural crack conveniently. The cohesive zone model in this study also provides an efficient and effective way to analyze more general FRP–concrete interface debonding.