Abstract
The present study performs a numerical investigation and then develops a simplified design-oriented model to determine the ultimate moment capacity for compact wide flange steel sections strengthened with a GFRP plate bonded to one of the flanges. The study aims at assessing failure modes and ultimate moments of the strengthened systems based on a series of 3D finite element analysis models that account for material and geometry nonlinear effects, initial out of straightness, residual stresses, GFRP plate length and thickness, and adhesive modulus of elasticity and rupture strength. The analytical model accounts for the elasto-plastic behaviour of steel, the shear capacity of the adhesive at the steel-GFRP interfaces, and the rupture strength of the GFRP. The ultimate moments and modes of failure predicted by the proposed analytical solutions are shown to agree well with the finite element predictions for beams strengthened with GFRP plates on the tension side. Additional comparisons with experimentally verified shell solutions by others also suggest the model to be equally applicable for beams strengthened by GFRP on the compression side.
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