Strength Models for Plate End Debonding in FRP-Strengthened RC Beams

Substantial experimental investigations over the last decade have been conducted into reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened in flexure by the bonding of a fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) soffit plate. Many of these studies have reported premature brittle failures by debonding of the soffit plate with or without the concrete cover attached. Among the various modes of premature failures, debonding at the plate end, by either separation of the concrete cover or interfacial debonding of the FRP plate from the concrete, has been most commonly reported. This paper is concerned with strength models for such debonding failures. The paper first presents a review of existing debonding strength models and then assesses them with experimental data collected from the literature. The relative strengths and weaknesses of each model are revealed and finally a new simple model is proposed.

• INTRODUCTION

• REVIEW OF DEBONDING STRENGTH MODELS

• EXPERIMENTAL DATA

• ASSESSMENT OF DEBONDING STRENGTH MODELS

• A SIMPLE NEW MODEL

• CONCLUSIONS

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES