Abstract
The structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams strengthened
in flexure by means of externally bonded fibre reinforced composite
laminates is simulated numerically using a nonlinear finite element
layered model. The full-bond assumption between the composite laminate,
steel reinforcement, and the concrete is assumed, and shear deformations
are neglected. Interlayer compatibility is achieved by imposing the
same displacements at the interfaces of adjacent layers. The concrete
is assumed to be nonlinear in compression and to exhibit a post-cracking
tension-stiffening behaviour in tension. The behaviour of the steel
reinforcement is modelled as elastic-plastic, while that for the
composite laminate is linear elastic using an equivalent elastic
modulus obtained from the so-called "classical lamination theory"
of composite structures. An incremental, iterative displacement-control
numerical analysis is developed. The finite element code is validated
using published test results for conventional reinforced concrete
beams, as well as for beams strengthened with composite laminates.
A comparison of the numerical and experimental curves shows very
good agreement. The effects of various parameters on the behaviour
of composite-strengthened concrete beams are examined.
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