Failure Analysis of FRP-strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beam subjected to Quasi-Static Loadings

The fracture characteristics of a simple reinforced concrete beam retrofitted with an FRP laminate are difficult to predict due to its composite nature. Lagrangian mechanics involved in the large deformation further complicate the analysis and computation when the retrofitted beam is subjected to quasi-static loadings. In the present study, finite element approach has been used to analyse the behaviour of a RC beam that has been retrofitted with FRP laminates under a range of quasi-static loadings. The Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) material model was used for nonlinear finite element modeling of the concrete material in ABAQUS/Explicit module. The rebar was embedded in the concrete using constraint elements. Damage parameters for the FRP were used using the Hashin criteria. The experimental studies were used to validate the numerical model that was thus developed, and a good correlation was found. Due to high yield tensile strength of FRP laminates, the retrofitted reinforced concrete beam's crack initiation was significantly postponed. At the edges of the beam, FRP debonding was particularly evident.