This paper discusses the calibration of a concrete lattice discrete particle model (LDPM), and its preliminary validation for the case of shear failure in scaled glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups. First, the model parameters…
This paper discusses the calibration of a concrete lattice discrete particle model (LDPM), and its preliminary validation for the case of shear failure in scaled glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups. First, the model parameters were defined based on: (a) the design of the concrete mixture that was used to fabricate scaled beam specimens; and (b) a literature database of meso-scale concrete parameters. Second, the calibration was refined to reach satisfactory agreement between numerical and experimental compression stress-strain curves as obtained by testing concrete cylinders in accordance with ASTM C469. The calibrated model was then used for the numerical simulation of four-point bending load tests on two slender GFRP RC beams without stirrups, and having an effective depth of 146 and 292 mm, respectively. The beam computational models are discussed vis-à-vis experimental data based with respect to elastic response, post-cracking stiffness degradation and damage progression, ultimate strength, and failure mode. The proposed model accurately approximates the pre- and post-cracking flexural stiffness, and holds promise to predict the shear strength of scaled GFRP RC slender beams without stirrups, provided that a suitable rebar-concrete bond stress-slip law is implemented.