Modelling the behavior of RC beams simultaneously strengthened for flexural and shear with CFRP systems

Abstract

By performing an experimental program, the performance of a hybrid solution using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) systems for the simultaneous flexural and shear strengthening of T-cross section RC beams is assessed. In this solution, CFRP laminates are applied according to the near surface mounted technique for the flexural strengthening, while U-shape CFRP discrete strips of wet lay-up sheet are applied according to the externally bonded reinforcement technique for the shear strengthening. Furthermore, an innovative anchorage system using CFRP was developed for increasing the shear strengthening effectiveness of the abovementioned strips of CFRP sheets (avoiding premature debonding). To obtain extra information for assisting on the interpretation of the contribution of the CFRP anchorages on the performance of the hybrid CFRP solution, numerical simulations were carried out, by considering the nonlinear behavior of the concrete and steel reinforcements, and the CFRP-concrete bond conditions. This paper summarizes the relevant aspects of the experimental program, and details the numerical simulations.