Interface stress redistribution in FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete beams using a three-parameter viscoelastic foundation model

Abstract

External bonding of FRP plates or sheets has become a popular method for strengthening reinforced concrete structures. Stresses along the FRP–concrete interface are critical to the effectiveness of this technique because high stress concentration along the FRP–concrete interface can lead to the FRP debonding from the concrete beam. In this study, a novel analytical solution has been developed to predict the interface stress redistribution of FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete beams induced by the viscoelastic adhesive layer. Both the FRP plate and the RC beam are modeled as Timoshenko’s beams, connected through the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is modeled as a three-parameter viscoelastic foundation (3PVF) using Standard Linear Solid model. The 3PVF model satisfies the equilibrium equation of the adhesive layer and the zero shear-stress boundary condition at the free edge. Closed-form expressions of the time-dependent interface stresses and deflection of the beam are obtained using Laplace transform. Finite element analysis is also conducted to verify the analytical solution using a subroutine UMAT based on the Standard Linear Solid model. Numerical results suggest that the stress concentrations within the FRP–concrete interface relax with time. The axial force in the FRP plate also reduces with time due to the creep of the adhesive layer. However, this relaxation is limited to a small zone close to the end of the FPR plate.