Experimental and numerical analysis of FRP sheets bonded to concrete

This thesis investigates the bond behaviour of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets externally bonded to concrete structures. External bonding of FRP sheets is one of the techniques used to restore deteriorating reinforced concrete structures. The primary mode of failure related to the use of FRP is debonding of the sheets from the concrete surface. Progress in understanding the mechanisms of stress transfer and bond failure that result from the use of externally bonded FRP plates and sheets is necessary to develop sound design codes.; Two experimental test series using pull-apart test method and a modified push-apart test method proposed in this study were conducted. The effects of different parameters, such as the bond length, width, and anchor sheets, on the bond behaviour between FRP sheets and concrete were investigated.; A parametec study investigating the main parameters affecting the bond behaviour was conducted using both two and three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models. The numerical models showed satisfactory agreement with the test results. Trend relationships were produced from the parametec study.; Three conventional bond test methods in addition to the modified push-apart test method were analysed using numerical models. Two bond test methods were recommended as standard test methods. A conversion standard between the different methods was also proposed based on a comparison between the test methods using numerical analysis and experimental results obtained from this study and from the literature.; Two regression analysis based models were developed to predict the effective bond lengths and the bond capacity of FRP sheets bonded to concrete. Test results from the current study and the literature were used to derive the equations and compare their accuracy compared to existing equations. The results show that the proposed equations are more accurate and reliable than those proposed in the literature.