Numerical calibration of bond law for GFRP bars embedded in steel fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete

An experimental program was carried out at the Laboratory of Structural Division of the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Minho (LEST-UM) to investigate the bond behaviour of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded in steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) for the development of an innovative structural system. Thirty-six pull-out-bending tests were executed to assess the influence of the bond length, concrete cover, bar diameter and surface treatment on the bond of GFRP bars embedded in SFRSCC. This paper reports the results of a numerical study aiming to identify an accurate GFRP-SFRSCC bond-slip law. Thus, the above mentioned pullout bending tests were simulated by using a nonlinear finite element (FE) constitutive model available in FEMIX, a FEM based computer program. The bond-slip relationship adopted for modelling the FE interface that simulates the interaction between bar and concrete is the key nonlinear aspect considered in the FE analyses, but the nonlinear behaviour of SFRSCC due to crack initiation and propagation was also simulated. The evaluation of the values of the relevant parameters defining such a bond-slip relationship was executed by fitting the force versus loaded end slip responses recorded in the experimental tests. Finally, correlations are proposed between the parameters identifying the bond-slip relationship and the relevant geometric and mechanical properties of the tested specimens. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.