• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.607-622
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• 2018

A non-linear finite element model (FEM) was constructed using a three-dimensional software (ATENA-3D) to investigate the effect of strengthening on the behavior of prestressed hollow-core (PHC) slabs with or without openings. The slabs were strengthened using near surface mounted (NSM)-carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. The constructed model was validated against experimental results that were previously reported by the authors. The validated FEM was then used to conduct an extensive parametric study to examine the influence of prestressing reinforcement ratio, compressive strength of concrete and strengthening reinforcement ratio on the behavior of such slabs. The FEM results showed good agreement with the experimental results where it captured the cracking, yielding, and ultimate loads as well as the mid-span deflection with a reasonable accuracy. Also, an overall enhancement in the structural performance of these slabs was achieved with an increase in prestressing reinforcement ratio, compressive strength of concrete, external reinforcement ratio. The presence of openings with different dimensions along the flexural or shear spans reduced significantly the capacity of the PHC slabs. However, strengthening these slabs with 2 and 4 (64 and $128mm^2$ that represent reinforcement ratios of 0.046 and 0.092%) CFRP strips was successful in restoring the original strength of the slab and enhancing post-cracking stiffness and load carrying capacity.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.193-206
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• 2011

The use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) to strengthen reinforced concrete beams under bending and shear has gained rapid growth in recent years. The performance of shear strengthened beams with externally bonded CFRP laminate or fabric strips is raising many concerns when the beam is loaded under cyclic loading. Such concerns warrant experimental, analytical and numerical investigation of such beams under cyclic loading. To date, limited investigations have been carried out to address this concern. This paper presents a numerical investigation by developing a nonlinear finite element (FE) model to study the response of a cantilever reinforced concrete T-beam strengthened in shear with side bonded CFRP fabric strips and subjected to cyclic loading. A detailed 3D nonlinear finite element model that takes into account the orthotropic nature of the polymer's fibers is developed. In order to simulate the bond between the CFRP sheets and concrete, a layer having the material properties of the adhesive epoxy resin is introduced in the model as an interface between the CFRP sheets and concrete surface. Appropriate numerical modeling strategies were used and the response envelope and the load-displacement hysteresis loops of the FE model were compared with the experimental response at all stages of the cyclic loading. It is observed that the responses of the FE beam model are in good agreement with those of the experimental test. A parametric study was conducted using the validated FE model to investigate the effect of spacing between CFRP sheets, number of CFRP layers, and fiber orientation on the overall performance of the T-beam. It is concluded that successful FE modeling provides a practical and economical tool to investigate the behavior of such strengthened beams when subjected to cyclic loading.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.717-733
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• 2011

Strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) members against shear that is one of the failure modes especially avoided by using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is widely used technique, which is studied at many experimental studies. However, conducting experimental studies are required more financial resources and laboratory facilities. In addition, along with financial resources, more time is needed in order to carry out comprehensive experimental studies. For these reasons, a verified finite element model that is tested with previous experimental studies can be used for reaching generalized results and investigating parameters that are not studied. For this purpose, previous experimental study results are used and "T" cross-sectioned RC beams strengthened with CFRP strips with insufficient shear strength are modeled by using ANSYS software. First, finite elements modeling of the previously tested RC beams are done, and then the computed results are compared with the experimental ones whether they are matched or not. As a result, the finite element model is verified. Later, analyses of the cases without any test results are done by using the verified model. Optimum CFRP strip spacing is determined with this verified finite element model, and compared with the experimental findings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.361-382
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• 2011

This paper presents the results of an investigation on shear strengthening of RC beams externally reinforced with CFRP composite. A total of six full-scale beams of four CFRP strengthened and two unstrengthened were tested in the absence of internal stirrups in the shear span. The strengthening configurations contained two styles: discrete uniformly spaced strips and customized wide strips over B-regions. The composite systems provided an increase in ultimate strength as compared to the unstrengthened beams. Among the three layouts that had the same area of CFRP, the highest contribution was provided by the customized layout that targeted the B-regions. A comparative study of the experimental results with published empirical equations was conducted in order to evaluate the assumed effective strains. The empirical equations were found to be unconservative. Nonlinear finite element (NLFE) models were developed for the beams. The models agreed with test results that targeting the B-region was more effective than distributing the same CFRP area in a discrete strip style over shear spans. Moreover, the numerical models predicted the contribution of different configurations better than the empirical equations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.125-142
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• 2017

Extensive research work has been performed on shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in form of strips. However, most of this research work is experimental and very scarce studies are available on numerical modelling of such beams due to truly challenging nature of modelling concrete shear cracking and interfacial interaction between components of such beams. This paper presents an appropriate model for RC beam and to simulate its cracking without numerical computational difficulties, convergence and solution degradation problems. Modelling of steel and CFRP and their interfacial interaction with concrete are discussed. Finally, commercially available non-linear finite element software ABAQUS is used to validate the developed finite element model with key tests performed on full scale T-beams with and without CFRP retrofitting, taken from previous extensive research work. The modelling parameters for bonding behavior of CFRP with special anchors are also proposed. The results presented in this research work illustrate that appropriate modelling of bond behavior of all the three types of interfaces is important in order to correctly simulate the shear behavior of RC beams strengthened with CFRP.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.271-287
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• 2022

This study investigates the bending behavior of a composite concrete slab roof with different methods of externally strengthing using steel plates and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. First, the concrete slab model which was reinforced with CFRP strips on the bottom surface of it is validated using experimental data, and then, using numerical modeling, 7 different models of square-shaped composite slab roofs are developed in ABAQUS software using the finite element modeling. Developed models include steel rebar reinforced concrete slab with variable thickness of CFRP and steel plates. Considering the control sample which has no external reinforcement, a set of 8 different reinforcement states has been investigated. Each of these 8 states is examined with 6 different uncertainties in terms of the properties of the materials in the construction of concrete slabs, which make 48 numerical models. In all models loading process is continued until complete failure occurs. The results from numerical investigations showed using the steel plates as an executive method for strengthening, the bending capacity of reinforced concrete slabs is increased in the ultimate bearing capacity of the slab by about 1.69 to 2.48 times. Also using CFRP strips, the increases in ultimate bearing capacity of the slab were about 1.61 to 2.36 times in different models with different material uncertainties.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.407-417
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• 2017

RC shear walls are considered one of the main lateral resisting members in buildings. In recent years, FRP has been widely utilized in order to strengthen and retrofit concrete structures. A number of experimental studies used CFRP sheets as an external bracing system for retrofitting of RC shear walls. It has been found that the common mode of failure is the debonding of the CFRP-concrete adhesive material. In this study, behavior of RC shear wall was investigated with three different micro models. The analysis included 2D model using plane stress element, 3D model using shell element and 3D model using solid element. To allow for the debonding mode of failure, the adhesive layer was modeled using cohesive surface-to-surface interaction model at 3D analysis model and node-to-node interaction method using Cartesian elastic-plastic connector element at 2D analysis model. The FE model results are validated comparing the experimental results in the literature. It is shown that the proposed FE model can predict the modes of failure due to debonding of CFRP and behavior of CFRP strengthened RC shear wall reasonably well. Additionally, using 2D plane stress model, many parameters on the behavior of the cohesive surfaces are investigated such as fracture energy, interfacial shear stress, partial bonding, proposed CFRP anchor location and using different bracing of CFRP strips. Using two anchors near end of each diagonal CFRP strips delay the end debonding and increase the ductility for RC shear walls.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.397-406
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• 2017

The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) for torsional strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) single cell box beams has been analyzed considerably by researchers worldwide. However, little attention has been paid to torsional strengthening of multicell box girders in terms of both experimental and numerical research. This paper reports the experimental work in an overall investigation for torsional strengthening of multicell box section RC girders with externally-bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer CFRP strips. Numerical work was carried out using non-linear finite element modeling (FEM). Good agreement in terms of torque-twist behavior, steel and CFRP reinforcement responses, and crack patterns was achieved. The unique failure modes of all the specimens were modeled correctly as well.