Finite element modelling of shear strengthened reinforced concrete beams

This research aims at creating precise finite element models for FRP shear strengthened concrete beams. It is inspired by the fact that the determination of the structural behaviour of the shear strengthened beams requires advanced numerical methods of which results are substantiated by credible experimental findings. The models are developed here to assess the shear and interfacial types of behaviour of beams strengthened using the hybrid externally bonded (EB)/ mechanically fastened (MF) fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems. The interfacial behaviour between the hybrid EB/MF-FRP and the concrete is accounted for, here, using specially developed interface elements. A user-defined subroutine for the microplane constitutive law for the concrete material is incorporated in the model. Results are presented in terms of the ultimate load carrying capacities, load-deflection relationships, and interfacial stress/slip distributions. Numerical results are validated against available experimental results and show reasonable agreement.