Finite Element Analysis of RC Slabs Strengthened with Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

Abstract

The external bonding of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) to tension faces of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is an effective technique for the strengthening of reinforced concrete structures In such area only a limited amount of research is available on the numerical modeling that includes appropriate constitutive models to simulate the nonlinear material behavior of the composite structures This study presents the results of nonlinear finite element analysis for reinforced concrete slabs strengthened with FRP material Various parameters such as loading slab thickness concrete strength steel bars and FRP properties are investigated to observe the behaviors and the ultimate load capacities of the FRP-strengthened RC slabs This study demonstrates that the rationale consideration to design FRP-strengthened RC slabs and the proper modeling of constitutive materials and interfaces are essential to simulate suitable behavior of the composite structures The proposed empirical equations are applicable in the analysis and design of civil engineering composite structures

Date of Award	2014 Mar 17
Original language	English
Supervisor	Hsuan-Teh Hu (Supervisor)