Analytical Studies on Mixed-Mode Debonding along the FRP–Concrete Interface in the Peeling Test

Abstract

The bonding of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) strips and plates to the concrete structures has been found to be an effective technique for flexural strengthening. The FRP is then under both pulling and peeling forces, resulting in a combination of shear sliding and opening displacement along the FRP/concrete interface. A novel experimental set-up is studied that a peeling load is applied on the FRP sheet by a circular rod placed into the central notch of the beam. Based on the linear-elastic fracture mechanics approach, a theoretical analysis is conducted on specimens representing the peeling behavior. From the numerical analysis, the load–displacement curves, load–stiffness of FRP sheet curves, and load–fracture energy curves affected by different variables are discussed. The peel load is related to the FRP sheet stiffness and to the interfacial fracture energy. Therefore, only two material parameters, the interfacial fracture energy of FRP–concrete interface and stiffness of FRP sheets, are necessary to represent the interfacial fracture behavior. The theoretical load–deflection curves of specimens agree well with the corresponding experimental results in the literatures.