Bond behaviour of CFRP reinforcement for torsional strengthening of solid and box-section RC beams

The economic and time constraints in the repair or upgrading of existing infrastructure have become a major issue, particularly extending the service lifespan of bridges. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) has shown great promise as a state-of-the-art material in flexural and shear strengthening as external reinforcement. However, little attention has been paid to torsional strengthening in terms of both experimental and numerical research. This paper focuses on the bond-behaviour of externally bonded CFRP in an overall investigation of torsional strengthening of solid and box-section reinforced concrete beams. Significant levels of debonding prior to failure by CFRP rupture were measured in experiments with photogrammetry. Numerical work was carried out using non-linear finite element (FE) modelling. Good agreement in terms of torque-twist behaviour, steel and CFRP reinforcement responses, and crack patterns was achieved. The addition of a bond-slip model between the CFRP reinforcement and concrete meant that the debonding mechanisms prior to and unique failure modes of all the specimens were modelled correctly as well. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.