Abstract
The use of mechanically-fastened fiber-reinforced polymer (MF-FRP) systems has recently emerged as a competitive solution for the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and slabs. An overview of the experimental research has proven the effectiveness and the potentiality of the MF-FRP technique which is particularly suitable for emergency repairs or when the speed of installation and immediacy of use are imperative. A finite-element (FE) model has been recently developed by the authors with the aim to simulate the behavior of RC beams strengthened in bending by MF-FRP laminates; such a model has also been validated by using a wide experimental database collected from the literature. By following the previous study, the FE model and the assembled database are considered herein with the aim of better exploring the influence of some specific aspects on the structural response of MF-FRP strengthened members, such as the bearing stress-slip relationship assumed for the FRP-concrete interface, the stress-strain law considered for reinforcing steel rebars and the cracking process in RC members resulting in the well-known tension stiffening effect. The considerations drawn from this study will be useful to researchers for the calibration of criteria and design rules for strengthening RC beams through MF-FRP laminates.
Highlights
The use of mechanically-fastened (MF) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems has recently emerged as an effective solution for the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams
The technique consists of pre-cured FRP laminates with enhanced bearing strength, which can be fastened to the external surface of concrete members through a variety of steel anchors, i.e., nails or powder actuated fasteners (“PAF”), anchor bolts, concrete screws or a combination thereof
The numerical simulations discussed were mainly aimed at investigating the influence of some specific aspects on the structural response of mechanically-fastened fiber-reinforced polymer (MF-FRP)-strengthened members, such as the bearing stress-slip relationship assumed for the FRP-concrete interface, the stress-strain law considered for reinforcing steel rebars and the cracking process in RC members, which is often disregarded in modeling methods
Summary
The use of mechanically-fastened (MF) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems has recently emerged as an effective solution for the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The first work Napoli et al [11] formulated a FE procedure in which a continuous connection was assumed throughout the interface between the FRP laminate and RC beam, in spite of the discrete nature of mechanical anchors This assumption led to results as accurate as in the case of EB-FRP systems, it introduced a certain level of approximation, especially in the case of either coarse or unequally-spaced fasteners. Such a model, already detailed and validated in Martinelli et al [12], is used in this study to simulate experimental tests available in the literature and relative to MF-FRP-strengthened RC beams and one-way slabs; most of these tests are included in a more general database published by. The considerations drawn from this study will be useful to researchers for the calibration of criteria and design rules for the strengthening RC beams through MF-FRP laminates
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