Flexural-shear strengthening of reinforced concrete T-beams subjected to asymmetric loading using CFRP system combined by NSM strips and U-wraps

Abstract

This paper presents a developed three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of flexural and shear
strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams using a CFRP (Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) system combined by near-surface mounted (NSM) strips and U-wraps subjected by asymmetric loading. The 3D FEM was verified by experimental results. Concrete was simulated by a total-strain-based rotating smeared crack model. NSM CFRP strips and CFRP U-wrap sheets were modeled as shell elements. Steel reinforcement and NSM CFRP strips were embedded in concrete, corresponding to a perfect bond. U-wrap sheets were modeled as a shell element and bonded to the concrete surface using an interface element, considering appropriate bond properties. Four RC T-beams from an experimental work were analyzed, and predictions of the applied load-displacement curve and failure mode were presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the developed finite
element analysis. It is shown that the finite element results of T-beams agree well with the experimental behavior in terms of applied load versus displacement and failure mode. Moreover, a parametric study was conducted to examine the influence of some design-oriented parameters such as concrete compressive strength, amount of longitudinal tension reinforcement, amount of stirrups, multiple layers of externally bonded (EXB) CFRP sheets, and flange width.