Numerical analysis of the shear behavior of FRP-strengthened continuous RC beams having web openings

Abstract

Web openings are usually constructed in continuous reinforced concrete (RC) beams to accommodate the utility pipes and cables. This paper investigates numerically shear strengthening of continuous RC beams having web openings with FRP layers. The finite element analysis software ABAQUS/standard was used to construct non-linear finite element model (FEM) to analyze continuous RC beams having web openings strengthened with different schemes of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) layers. The FEM was verified using the available experimental studies of both FRP-strengthened simply supported and continuous RC beams with/without openings found in literature before conducting the numerical investigation. The numerical investigation was carried out using the validated numerical FEM to investigate the impacts of crucial parameters such as opening location, opening area and strengthening configuration on the shear behavior of continuous RC beams strengthened with FRP layers. Three different locations were suggested along the length of the RC beam to construct the web openings. On the other hand, the effects of five different opening area on the load capacity and failure patterns were investigated. Moreover, two different FRP strengthening configurations were considered either strengthening above and below the opening or strengthening the whole RC beam height. Results showed that continuous RC beams containing openings at zone II group was the most affected among analyzed locations. The reduction in load capacities of this group ranged from 7.3 to 66.1% compared to the solid beam. The ultimate loads of specimens strengthened over the whole RC beam height exhibited the highest values among analyzed specimens.