Cracking behavior significantly affects the failure mode and strengthening performance of FRP sheets in FRP-strengthened concrete beams. The objective of this paper is to make an understanding on how the properties of concrete and bond interface influence the cracking behaviors…
Cracking behavior significantly affects the failure mode and strengthening performance of FRP sheets in FRP-strengthened concrete beams. The objective of this paper is to make an understanding on how the properties of concrete and bond interface influence the cracking behaviors through finite element simula- tions. Four material properties, concrete fracture energy, bond strength, interfacial fracture energy and stiff- ness of bond interface, are chosen as important parameters that are discussed in detail. Debonding behavior of FRP-concrete bond interface is described by interfacial fictious crack model. Cracks in concrete are modeled by smeared crack model. It can be concluded that a certain behaviors of FRP-concrete interfacial bond is a pre-required condition of FRP reinforcement and essentially determines whether premature debonding failure happens within the bond layer before the realization of strengthening performance. Concrete fracture energy has a significant effect on the status of crack distribution in concrete. Increasing concrete fracture energy could enhance the strengthening performance of FRP reinforcement.