Effect of CFRP Plate Location on Flexural Behavior of RC Beam Strengthened with CFRP Plate

Abstract

Location of CFRP plate, as a mode of failure, is one of the major limitations when using externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates in strengthening of RC beams. In this work, mode of CFRP plate location was analytically investigated. A non-linear finite element model is proposed in order to analyze experimental data presented by David et.al.[1]. The eight node brick element (SOLID65 as denoted in ANSYS) is used to model reinforced concrete and four node shell element (SHELL41) is used to represented CFRP plate, bond between concrete and CFRP plate represented by interface element (CONTAC52). The results obtained from analytical study explained that the best location of CFRP is at lower edges of concrete beam.