Numerical Modeling of CFRP-Repaired Beam Failed in Shear

Abstract

The numerical model of the pre-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beam repaired by carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheets (CFRPs) is generated in this study. The shear critical beam was first tested up to failure under monotonic loading in a four-point bending test in three different stages by repairing the damaged specimen after each failure. Due to spatial variability of the concrete mechanical properties, an uneven distribution of crack pattern concentrated on one side was observed in a symmetrically manufactured specimen. The excessive shear crack, which inclined at about 45° to the beam axis on one side of the beam near the support, was successfully repaired by the CFRPs. The repair action against the premature shear failure on one side of the beam recovered the load-carrying capacity of the as-built beam. The formation of excessive shear cracks was transferred to the unrepaired side in the second stage of the loading after the first repair. After repairing the other side of the beam by the same process, the concrete crushing, when the limiting strain of the concrete was reached under compression, characterized the overall failure mode in the third stage of loading. The numerical model adequately reproduced the nonlinear response of all repair processes on the pre-damaged beam. The experimental responses of twice-repaired specimens in terms of crack patterns and capacities were well-matched with simulated responses in the finite element environment.