Shear Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened With Varying Types of FRP Materials Using Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present a model suitable for analyzing RC beams strengthened with various types of FRP materials failing in shear using the finite element method. The finite elements adopted by ANSYS (Release-12, 2009) computer program were used in this study. The numerical analysis incorporates material nonlinearity due to concrete cracking in tension, nonlinear stress-strain relations of concrete in compression, crushing of concrete and yielding of steel reinforcement. Also the evaluation of the enhancement in shear strength of RC beams strengthened with FRP materials is investigated. Different types of RC beams strengthened with various types of FRP materials (carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), carbon fiber sheet (CFS), and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)) have been analyzed, and the finite element solutions are compared with the available experimental data. The finite element results obtained were the load-deflection response, stress distribution in concrete, stresses distribution in FRP materials and crack patterns. Several parametric studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of some important numerical and material parameters on the behavior of strengthened RC beams. These parameters are effects of partial and full interaction between FRP materials and concrete surface, distribution of FRP materials stresses, and crack pattern. In general, good agreement....