NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF FRP STRENGTHENED RC BEAMS

A simple, accurate and efficient finite element model is developed in ANSYS for numerical modelling of the nonlinear structural behavior of FRP strengthened RC beams under static loading in this paper. Geometric nonlinearity and material nonlinear properties of concrete and steel rebar are accounted for this model. Concrete and steel reinforcement are modelled using Solid 65 element and Link 180 element, and FRP and adhesive are modelled using Shell 181element and Solid 45 element. Concrete is modelled using Nitereka and Neal's model for compression, and isotropic and linear elastic model before cracking with strength gradually reducing to zero after cracking for tension. For steel reinforcement, the elastic perfectly plastic material model is used. FRPs are assumed to be linearly elastic until rupture and epoxy is assumed to be linearly elastic. The new FE model is validated by comparing the computed results with those obtained from experimental studies.