Fire behaviour of thermally insulated RC beams strengthened with NSM-CFRP strips: Experimental study

This paper presents the results of fire resistance tests on reinforced concrete (RC) beams flexurally strengthened with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips installed according to the near surface mounted (NSM) technique using two different adhesives. The beams were simultaneously subjected to a service load and the ISO 834 standard fire. Different fire protection schemes were studied, comprising a thinner insulation layer along the bottom soffit of the beams and a thicker one at the CFRP anchorage zones. The main objectives of this paper were (i) to understand in further depth the fire behaviour of NSM-strengthened RC beams, in particular the structural effectiveness of the strengthening system during fire, (ii) to evaluate the efficiency of the above-mentioned fire protection strategy in extending the CFRP mechanical contribution during fire, and (iii) to compare the fire performance of the NSM-strengthening system with that of the alternative externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) technique, recently investigated under similar test conditions. The results obtained showed that using the adopted insulation schemes (i.e., thicker insulation at the anchorage zone and thinner insulation in the current zone), even after the CFRP-concrete bond is highly damaged in the central zone of the beams, the strengthening system is able to retain its structural effectiveness through a cable mechanism: for insulation thicknesses of 25 mm (current zone) and 50 mm (anchorage zones), the fire resistance of the strengthening system was extended up to 114 min. The loss of effectiveness of the CFRP system occurred when the average temperature in the adhesive at the CFRP anchorage zones attained values ranging from 2.2 to 5.6 times its glass transition temperature (T_g). The comparison with the EBR-strengthened beams confirmed the much better performance of the NSM strengthening.     

Mechanical behaviour of corroded RC beams strengthened by NSM CFRP rods

Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete leads to several major defects. Firstly, a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement and in its ductility results in premature bar failure. Secondly, the expansion of the corrosion products causes concrete cracking and steel–concrete bond deterioration and also affects the bending stiffness of the reinforced concrete members, causing a reduction in the overall load-bearing capacity of the reinforced concrete beams. This paper investigates the validity of a repair technique using Near Surface Mounted (NSM) carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) rods to restore the mechanical performance of corrosion-damaged RC beams. In the NSM technique, the CFRP rods are placed inside pre-cut grooves and are bonded to the concrete with epoxy adhesive.Experimental results were obtained on two beams: a corroded beam that had been exposed to natural corrosion for 25 years and a control beam, (both are 3 m long) repaired in bending only. Each beam was repaired with one 6-mm-diameter NSM CFRP rod. The beams were tested in a three-point bending test up to failure. Overall stiffness and crack maps were studied before and after the repair. Ultimate capacity, ductility and failure mode were also reviewed. Finally some comparisons were made between repaired and non-repaired beams in order to assess the effectiveness of the NSM technique. The experimental results showed that the NSM technique improved the overall characteristics (ultimate load capacity and stiffness) of the control and corroded beams and allowed sufficient ductility to be restored to the repaired corroded elements, thus restoring the safety margin, despite the non-classical mode of failure that occurred in the corroded beam, with the separation of the concrete cover due to corrosion products.     

Compressive behavior of concrete cylinders confined by narrow strips of CFRP with spacing

Application of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is one of the effective strengthening methods for structural members such as reinforced concrete columns and beams. However, air voids and debonds between CFRP and concrete due to poor workmanship may degrade the structural performance otherwise expected by the strengthening. In order to minimize such debonds and ease the installation, the authors propose to wrap compressive concrete members with narrow strips of CFRP laminates with spacing. This paper focuses on an experimental study to investigate the effectiveness of applying the narrow strips of CFRP laminates. In this study, 60 concrete cylinders wrapped with CFRP strips having different spacings and widths are tested under compression load. The effects of several key parameters such as spacing, spliced length, number of layers, and section area of the CFRP laminates are investigated. In addition, stress–strain curves of pre-damaged specimens wrapped with CFRP laminates are also focused. Based on the experimental results, constitutive models of concrete confined by narrow strips of CFRP laminates are proposed.     

Nonlinear finite element modeling of concrete deep beams with openings strengthened with externally-bonded composites

This paper aims to develop 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) models for reinforced concrete (RC) deep beams containing web openings and strengthened in shear with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite sheets. The web openings interrupted the natural load path either fully or partially. The FE models adopted realistic materials constitutive laws that account for the nonlinear behavior of materials. In the FE models, solid elements for concrete, multi-layer shell elements for CFRP and link elements for steel reinforcement were used to simulate the physical models. Special interface elements were implemented in the FE models to simulate the interfacial bond behavior between the concrete and CFRP composites. A comparison between the FE results and experimental data published in the literature demonstrated the validity of the computational models in capturing the structural response for both unstrengthened and CFRP-strengthened deep beams with openings. The developed FE models can serve as a numerical platform for performance prediction of RC deep beams with openings strengthened in shear with CFRP composites.     

外贴CFRP加固混凝土梁裂缝间CFRP与混凝土界面粘结性能研究

碳纤维(CFRP)布与混凝土界面的粘结性能是影响CFRP加固构件性能的关键因素,为了更好地理解其对构件性能的影响,进行了外贴CFRP加固混凝土梁纯弯段内CFRP-混凝土界面粘结性能的研究,建立了研究相邻裂缝间CFRP-混凝土界面粘结滑移的解析模型。该模型不仅可以给出粘结界面上滑移和剪应力的分布,还可以给出外贴CFRP加固混凝土梁中相邻裂缝间各材料的应力分布,进而进行构件开裂分析等。将裂缝间CFRP应变实测分布与模型计算结果进行了比较,结果表明:由该模型导出的CFRP应变分布与试验结果吻合较好。     

Behavior of RC T-section beams strengthened with CFRP strips,subjected to cyclic load

This paper presents results of an experimental investigation on T-section reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with externally bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. Specimens, one of which was the control specimen and the remaining six were the shear deficient test specimens, were tested under cyclic load to investigate the effect of CFRP strips on behavior and strength. Five shear deficient specimens were strengthened with side bonded and U-jacketed CFRP strips, and remaining one tested with its virgin condition without strengthening. The type and arrangement of CFRP strips and the anchorage used to fasten the strips to the concrete are the variables of this experimental work. The main objective was to analyze the behavior and failure modes of T-section RC beams strengthened in shear with externally bonded CFRP strips. According to test results premature debonding was the dominant failure mode of externally strengthened RC beams so the effect of anchorage usage on behavior and strength was also investigated. To verify the reliability of shear design equations and guidelines, experimental results were compared with all common guidelines and published design equations. This comparison and validation of guidelines is one of the main objectives of this work. The test results confirmed that all CFRP arrangements differ from CFRP strip width and arrangement, improved the strength and behavior of the specimens in different level significantly.     

Analytical approach for the flexural analysis of RC beams strengthened with prestressed CFRP

The objective of this paper is to propose a simplified analytical approach to predict the flexural behavior of simply supported reinforced-concrete (RC) beams flexurally strengthened with prestressed carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcements using either externally bonded reinforcing (EBR) or near surface mounted (NSM) techniques. This design methodology also considers the ultimate flexural capacity of NSM CFRP strengthened beams when concrete cover delamination is the governing failure mode. A moment–curvature (M–χ) relationship formed by three linear branches corresponding to the precracking, postcracking, and postyielding stages is established by considering the four critical M–χ points that characterize the flexural behavior of CFRP strengthened beams. Two additional M–χ points, namely, concrete decompression and steel decompression, are also defined to assess the initial effects of the prestress force applied by the FRP reinforcement. The mid-span deflection of the beams is predicted based on the curvature approach, assuming a linear curvature variation between the critical points along the beam length. The good predictive performance of the analytical model is appraised by simulating the force–deflection response registered in experimental programs composed of RC beams strengthened with prestressed NSM CFRP reinforcements.     

Fracturing behaviors of FRP-strengthened concrete structures

In this paper, we focus on the study of concrete cracking behavior and interfacial debonding fracture in fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)-strengthened concrete beams. An experimental program is systematically reviewed according to the observed failure modes, in which it is found that the interfacial debonding may propagate either within the adhesive layer or through concrete layer in the vicinity of bond interface. A finite element analysis is performed to investigate the different types of debonding propagation along FRP-concrete interface and crack distribution in concrete. For the numerical fracture models, interfacial debonding that initiates and propagates in adhesive layer is modeled by fictitious interfacial crack model. And concrete cracking, including the debonding fracture through interfacial concrete, is modeled by smeared crack model. Properties of the interfacial adhesive layer and concrete are considered to significantly influence the debonding propagation types and crack distribution. The interactions between interfacial bond strength, interfacial fracture energy of bond adhesive layer and tensile strength, fracture energy of concrete are discussed in detail through a parametric study. According to the results, the effects of these properties on different types of interfacial debonding, concrete cracking behavior and structural load-carrying capacity are clearly understood.     

Fatigue behaviour of the bond interface between carbon fibre‐reinforced polymer sheets and concrete

Externally bonded carbon fibre‐reinforced polymers (CFRPs) have been applied to retrofit and strengthen civil structures. In this study, four‐point bending beams were manufactured and tested to examine the fatigue behaviour of the CFRP–concrete interface. The results indicated that the specimens exhibited debonding failure in the concrete beneath the adhesive layer under static loading. However, when cyclic loads were imposed on the small beams, debonding failure may occur in the adhesive layer. Moreover, fitting expressions were proposed to predict the shear stress–slip relationship between the CFRP sheets and concrete and the flexural strength of the CFRP‐strengthened beams under static loads, and good agreement with the test data was obtained. Finally, a fatigue life prediction model was also presented to capture the fatigue life of the CFRP–concrete interface under cyclic loads. The calculation results showed that the fatigue strength of the CFRP–concrete bond interface was approximately 65% of the ultimate load capacity.     

Experimental investigation into bond behavior of CFRP sheets attached to concrete using EBR and EBROG techniques

Over the last decade, an extreme increase in the application of fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) for strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) structures has been observed. The most common technique for strengthening of RC members utilizing FRP reinforcements is externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) technique. Despite certain benefits of the technique such as simple and rapid installation, the main problem which has greatly hampered the use of EBR method is premature debonding of FRP composite from concrete substrate. Recently, grooving method (GM) has been introduced as an alternative to conventional EBR technique. Grooving with the special technique of externally bonded reinforcement on grooves (EBROG) has yielded promising results in postponing or, in some cases, completely elimination of undesirable debonding failure in flexural/shear strengthened RC beams. Consequently, the main intention of the current study is to make a comparison between FRP-to-concrete bond behavior of EBR and EBROG techniques by means of single-shear bond tests. To do so, CFRP sheets were adhered to 16 concrete prism specimens using EBR and EBROG techniques. The specimens were then subjected to single-shear bond test and the results were compared. A non-contact, full field deformation measurement technique, i.e. particle image velocimetry (PIV) was utilized to investigate the bond behavior of the strengthened specimens. Successive digital images were taken from each specimen undergoing deformation during the test process. Images were then analyzed utilizing PIV method and load–slip behavior as well as slip and strain profiles along the strengthening CFRP strips were reported. Experimental results of the current study strongly verify the capability of GM for strengthening RC members to completely eliminate the debonding failure.     

A discrete spectral model for intermediate crack debonding in FRP-strengthened RC beams

One of the common failure modes of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened in flexure with a bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) is intermediate crack (IC) debonding, which is originated at a critical section in the vicinity of flexural cracks and propagates to a plate end. Despite considerable research over the last years, few reliable and simplified IC debonding strength models have been developed. This paper firstly presents a one-dimensional model based on the discrete crack approach for concrete and the spectral element method for the numerical simulation of the IC debonding process. The progressive formation of flexural cracks and subsequent concrete–FRP interfacial debonding is formulated by the introduction of a new element able to represent both phenomena simultaneously without perturbing the numerical procedure. Furthermore, with the proposed model, high frequency dynamic response for these kinds of structures can also be obtained in a very simple and non-expensive way, which makes this procedure very useful as a tool for diagnoses and detection of debonding in its initial stage by monitoring the change in local dynamic characteristics.     

Interfacial shear stress concentration in FRP-strengthened beams

This paper reports the results of an experimental programme designed to study the interfacial shear stress concentration at the plate curtailment of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened in flexure with externally bonded carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). Specifically, the study looks at the relationship between the CFRP plate thickness and the interfacial shear stress concentration at the plate curtailment, the failure modes of the CFRP-strengthened beams as well as the efficiency of the CFRP external reinforcing system. Comparing the experimental results with existing models' predictions is another objective of this study. The experimental programme included five RC beams 115 mm×150 mm in cross-section and 1500 mm in length. Four of the RC beams were reinforced externally with CFRP plates of different thicknesses. Tests in this study showed that the thickness of CFRP plate affects not only the load-carrying and deflection capacities of the strengthened beam, but also the shear stress concentration at the CFRP/concrete interface and the beam failure mode.     

Static strength tests of steel plate strengthened concrete beams

The behaviour of damaged concrete beams strengthened by externally bonded steel plates is experimentally investigated. The study includes an investigation of the mode of failure, including flexural failure and the interface separation of the steel plate. Simply supported beams under monotonically increasing loads are considered exclusively. A total of five plain concrete beams externally reinforced with bonded steel plates were tested under static loads to determine their strength and behaviour. The variables tested were the thickness of the external steel plate, length and location of the interfacial crack, and the degree of surface preparation of the steel plate. In all five beams the thickness of adhesive was kept constant. The results indicate that (i) the behaviour of a damaged open sandwich beam is similar to that of a singly reinforced concrete beam when no debonding occurs between the concrete and the adherent steel plate; (ii) when debonding occurs, the failure is sudden and at loads smaller than for a case where failure is either by yielding of steel or crushing of concrete; (iii) the case with an interfacial crack between the steel and the adhesive is more critical than the case when the interfacial crack is between the adhesive and the concrete; and (iv) the failure load and the mode of failure are dependent on the degree of surface preparation of the steel plate. Analytical investigation to predict the interfacial debonding is summarized, and the results suggest that linear elastic fracture mechanics is suited for predicting the failure load for open sandwich beams which fail by interface debonding.     

Hybrid epoxy-silyl modified polymer adhesives for CFRP sheets bonded to a steel substrate

This paper presents an experimental study examining the interfacial behavior between a steel substrate and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets bonded with hybrid epoxy-silyl modified polymer (SMP) adhesives. The epoxy adhesive has high modulus and strength characteristics, while the SMP adhesive possesses a low modulus with permanent elastic nature. The hypothesis tested is that a combination of these two distinct materials can alleviate interfacial stresses along the bond line with maintaining adequate strength. Two types of double-lap tension tests are conducted to evaluate the bond-capacity of the epoxy and SMP adhesives and to study the effect of various hybrid bond schemes. Test results show that the specimens bonded with homogeneous epoxy demonstrate abrupt failure, whereas those with SMP exhibit gradual load-softening at failure. The load-carrying capacity and stiffness of the CFRP–steel interface are not influenced by hybrid bond configurations. The degree of CFRP-debonding is, however, affected by the hybrid bond scheme. Stress transfer from the steel substrate to the CFRP is well maintained along the hybrid bond line with significant local deformability of the interface layer. Analytical models report that shear stresses along the CFRP–steel interface are noticeably mitigated at geometric discontinuities and the proposed hybrid bond technique can be used for structure-level application.     

炭纤维强化板及其加固混凝土梁的力学性能

为探寻涂胶对炭纤维布力学性能的影响 , 深入了解其加固混凝土结构的力学行为 , 对制备的炭纤维强化板(CFRP)及其加固混凝土梁 , 分别进行了轴向拉伸和预制裂缝四点弯曲加载实验。对比有胶与无胶纤维布拉伸实验 , 表明环氧树脂不仅粘接纤维布 , 对纤维布有保护作用 , 而且能够显著提高其拉伸强度。通过对加固混凝土梁的 FRP外贴应变片的加载过程进行电测跟踪测试 , 得到了材料结构损伤破坏过程曲线。由力学模型和曲线点拟合的最小二乘法 , 对 CFRP板所受轴力及混凝土的界面剪应力分布进行分析 , 得到轴力及剪应力分布。在载荷的变化过程中 , FRP与混凝土的界面逐渐脱粘 , 使得 FRP的应力集中程度降低 , 有时会出现应变回弹现象。      

Diagonal macro-crack induced debonding mechanisms in FRP rehabilitated concrete

The effectiveness of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to strengthen concrete components depends intrinsically on bond and transfer related aspects. Premature debonding, initiated from ends or from cracks in the concrete, often limits potential performance gains. While end initiated debonding and peeling mechanisms have been researched extensively, crack initiated debonding has not been studied to the same extent. This paper investigates mechanisms associated with diagonal cracks and models debonding initiation and propagation through a fracture mechanics based finite element approach. It is seen that debonding propagation is mainly caused by mode II fracture mechanisms and that the interfacial failure path is primarily governed by relationships between concrete cracking behavior and interfacial properties.     

内嵌CFRP筋加固宽缺口混凝土梁内力解析与试验研究

针对内嵌碳纤维增强塑料筋加固宽缺口混凝土梁体系,对碳纤维增强塑料筋、胶粘剂及混凝土三种介质两个界面的内力进行了力学解析分析,分析研究表明:剪应力是碳纤维增强塑料筋-胶粘剂-混凝土界面的粘结应力的主体,由内嵌加固宽缺口梁破坏试验可直接获取界面的剥离承载力;碳纤维增强塑料筋的受力相当于外表受到剪应力和正应力的圆柱体,剪应力靠胶结力提供,筋表面的平均剪应力可以通过宽缺口处外露部分的应变片实测得到,且与试验结果吻合较好,筋表面正应力的作用可以忽略;碳纤维筋横截面上的正应力在筋的长度方向成幂指数分布,沿筋截面径向分布不均匀,这导致其横截面中心的变形滞后于筋边缘的变形;槽内胶凝固后的内聚体是一个断面内圆外方的柱体,可以假定为是近似的厚壁圆筒,胶内聚体内的切向和径向应力对胶内聚体的剪切变形几乎没有影响;界面剥离破坏在比邻界面的混凝土中发生,因此混凝土强度将显著影响界面粘结性能与剥离承载力。     

CFRP板加固RC&PPC梁抗剪性能试验研究

通过10片普通钢筋混凝土(RC)梁及4片部分预应力混凝土(PPC)梁采用CFRP板抗剪加固的试验研究和非线性有限元分析,研究不同损伤程度、剪跨比、配箍率及预应力水平等因素对CFRP板加固RC&PPC梁抗剪性能的影响。结果表明:采用CFRP板对RC&PPC梁进行抗剪加固能够有效抑制斜裂缝的开展,提高加固梁斜截面抗剪承载能力,并改善梁的延性;RC梁损伤后加固,随着配箍率的增大以及剪跨比的减小,将提高加固RC梁的斜向开裂荷载、箍筋屈服荷载以及抗剪极限承载能力;随着预应力水平的提高,PPC加固梁的极限承载力增大,CFRP板抗剪加固效果比较显著;非线性有限元模型能够预测CFRP加固RC/PPC梁的抗剪性能,有限元计算结果与试验结果吻合良好;在进行CFRP板抗剪加固设计时,应对CFRP板的强度进行有效折减。     

Numerical optimization of strengthening disturbed regions of dapped-end beams using NSM and EBR CFRP

This paper presents a parametric investigation, based on non-linear finite element modeling, to identify the most effective configuration of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) dapped-end beams. Following a field application and laboratory tests, it focuses on effects of 24 externally bonded (EBR) and near surface mounted reinforcement (NSMR) configurations on yield strain in steel and the capacity and failure mode of dapped-end beams. The investigated parameters were the mechanical properties of the CFRP, the strengthening procedure and the inclination of the fibers with respect to the longitudinal axis. Two failure scenarios were considered: rupture and debonding of the FRP. The results indicate that high-strength NSM FRPs can considerably increase the capacity of dapped-end beams and the yielding strains in reinforcement can be substantially reduced by using high modulus fibers.     

模拟不中断交通状况下粘贴碳纤维布加固钢筋混凝土梁试验研究

为了调查动荷载作用下碳纤维布与钢筋混凝土梁的粘贴性能及加固效果,进行了5根模拟交通荷载(等幅正弦波形动荷载)作用下粘贴碳纤维布加固钢筋混凝土梁和1根保持荷载下粘贴碳纤维布加固钢筋混凝土梁以及2根对比梁的试验研究。试验中考虑了混凝土等级、配筋率、有无锚固条、粘贴长度、荷载幅值5个变化参数。试验结果表明,在模拟交通荷载的作用下,碳纤维布加固的钢筋混凝土梁粘贴性能满足要求,粘贴效果良好。在模拟交通荷载后的静载作用下,试验梁的抗弯承载力提高较多,加固效果明显,进一步验证了粘贴效果。