Fracture mechanics of plate debonding

This paper presents a fracture mechanics model to determine the load at which FRP plates will debond from reinforced concrete beams. This will obviate the need for finite-element analyses to be used in situations where there is an infinite stress concentration and where the exact details of the interface geometry and properties are unknowable. The paper shows how fracture mechanics concepts based on energy release rates, can be used to answer the question "Will this existing interface crack extend?" Possible modes of debonding are analyzed as is the effect of the plate curtailment location on the debonding mode.