Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural

Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
88
ISSN 1999-8716
Printed in Iraq
Vol. 02 , No. , pp. 88-104 , December 2009
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE BEAMS STRENGTHENED WITH CFRP IN
FLEXURAL
Amer M. Ibrahim
1
, Wissam D. Salman
2
(1,2)
College of engineering, Diyala University, Iraq
(Received:5/8/2009 ; Accepted:7/10/2009)
ABSTRACT - Numerical analyses are performed using the ANSYS finite element
program to simulate reinforced concrete beams strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced
polymer applied at the bottom of these beams. Nonlinear material behavior, as it relates to
steel reinforcing bars and plain concrete, and linear behavior for carbon fiber reinforced
polymer is simulated using appropriate constitutive models. The results showed that the
general behavior of the finite element models represented by the load-deflection curves at
midspan show good agreement with the test data from the previous researches. Also The
crack patterns at the failure loads from the finite element models correspond well with the
observed failure modes of the experimental beams. The Finite element models represented by
this research can be used to work parametric study for the strengthening of beams with CFRP.
Keywords: Finite Element Modeling; Reinforced Concrete Beams; Carbon Fiber-Reinforced
Polymers.
1-INTRODUCTION:
In recent years , strengthening of reinforced concrete beams with FRP composites has
been emerged as an attractive alternative to the strengthening with steel plates, because of the
attractive mechanical properties of FRP composites such as, high tensile strength, high
resistance for corrosion ,ease of application and low cost mountainous
(1,2)
. Bonding FRP
reinforcement to the tension face of a concrete flexural member with fibers oriented along the
length of the member will provide an increase in flexural strength. Many experimental
researches in this scope were presented, David , et al
(3)
, Minh et al
(4)
Harik and Choo
(5)
and
others researchers tested beams bonded with externally CFRP strips and their results show
Diyala Journal
of Engineering
Sciences
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
89
that CFRP is very effective for flexure strengthening. On the other hand, as compared with
experimental researches, the theoretical researches are very little, Hsuan-Teh Hu
(6)
simulated
beams strengthened with CFRP in finite element method using ABAQUS program , the
resulting nonlinear constitutive equations for the FRP are coded in FORTRAN language as a
subroutine and linked to the ABAQUS program.
In this paper, the ANSYS finite element program
(7)
is used to simulate eight full scale
reinforced concrete beams tested by M. R. Esfahani et al
(8)
.
2- M. R. ESFAHANI ET AL. EXPERIMENTAL TEST
(8)
.
For the beam specimens, the design compressive strength of 25 MPa was used. The
yield and ultimate strength of different bars are given in Table 1.
Table(1):- Test result of steel reinforcement bars
Bar diameter (mm) 8 10 12 16 20
Yielding stress (N/mm
2
) 350 365 400 406 350
Ultimate stress (N/mm
2
) 459 572 578 583 570
CFRP sheets were used for strengthening the beams. Mechanical properties of CFRP
sheets were measured according to ASTM D3039 Standard
(9)
. Table 2 presents the
mechanical properties of CFRP sheets.
Table(2):- Mechanical properties of CFRP sheet
Layer thickness (mm) Ultimate strain
Tension strength
(N/mm
2
)
Modulus of elasticity
(kN/mm
2
)
0.176 0.0120 2845 237
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
90
Fig.(1):- stress-strain relationship of CFRP specimen
The stressstrain relationship of CFRP sheets is shown in Fig.(1). The adhesive used
for applying the CFRP sheet on the concrete surface was hand-mixed epoxy. Before applying
the adhesive, the CFRP sheet was cut to length; the bottom sides of the specimens were
prepared by removing any concrete surface irregularities and loose particles in order to make
it a smooth surface. The adhesive was applied evenly on the concrete surface using a brush.
The CFRP sheet was then smoothly hand-laid to achieve a wrinkle-free surface. The air
between the concrete surface and CFRP sheet was removed using a plastic roller. Finally, a
layer of adhesive was applied on the CFRP sheet for better adhesion. The adhesive curing
time was at least one week, according to the manufacturers instructions
(8)
. Testing of the first
specimen started after one week
(8)
.
Table(3):- Details of beam specimens
Specimens
CFRP
width
(mm)
CFRP
layer
numbers
(N/mm
2
)
As
(mm
2)
As' (mm
2)
d
(mm)
d'
(mm)
B5-16D-0L 0 0 23.8 402 157 164 25
B6-16D-1L10 100 1 23.8 402 157 164 25
B7-16D-1L15 150 1 23.8 402 157 164 25
B8-16D-2L15 150 2 23.8 402 157 164 25
B9-20D-0L 0 0 24.1 628 157 162 25
B10-20D-1L10 100 1 24.1 628 157 162 25
B11-20D-1L15 150 1 24.1 628 157 162 25
B12-20D-2L15 150 2 24.1 628 157 162 25
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
91
Fig.(2):- Details of beam specimens(8)
As shown in Fig.(2) and Table 3, six specimens were strengthened using CFRP sheets.
The number of layers and the width of CFRP sheets varied in different specimens. Two
specimens were kept without strengthening as control specimens. Specimens are named as
Ba-bD-cLd. The letters a, b, c, and d refer to beam number, tensile bar diameter, the number
of layers and width of CFRP sheet, respectively.
3- MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND CONSTITUTIVE MODELS
3.1- Element types
An eight-node solid element, Solid65, was used to model the concrete. The solid
element has eight nodes with three degrees of freedom at each node translations in the nodal
local x, y, and z directions. The element is capable of plastic deformation, cracking in three
orthogonal directions, and crushing. The geometry and node locations for this element type
are shown in Figure (3).
Fig.(3):- Solid65 element
A Link8 element was used to model the steel reinforcement. Two nodes are required
for this element. Each node has three degrees of freedom, translations in the nodal x, y, and
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
92
z directions. The element is also capable of plastic deformation. The geometry and node
locations for this element type are shown in Figure (4)
Fig.(4):- Link8 element
A layered solid element, Solid46, was used to model the FRP composites. The element
allows for up to 100 different material layers with different orientations and orthotropic
material properties in each layer. The element has three degrees of freedom at each node
which are translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions. The geometry, node locations, and
the coordinate system are shown in Figure(5).
Fig.(5):- Solid46 element
An eight-node solid element, Solid45, was used for the steel plates at the supports in
the beam models. The element is defined with eight nodes having three degrees of freedom at
each node which are translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions The geometry and node
locations for this element and the coordinate system are shown in Figure (6).
Fig.(6):- Solid 45 element
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
93
3.2- Modeling of material properties
3.2.1- Concrete
In compression, the stress-strain curve for concrete is linearly elastic up to about 30 percent of
the maximum compressive strength. Above this point, the stress increases gradually up to the
maximum compressive strength. After it reaches the maximum compressive strength
cu
, the
curve descends into a softening region, and eventually crushing failure occurs at an ultimate
strain
cu
. In tension, the stress-strain curve for concrete is approximately linearly elastic up to
the maximum tensile strength. After this point, the concrete cracks and the strength decreases
gradually to zero. Figure (7) shows Typical uniaxial compressive and tensile stress-strain
curve for concrete.
Fig.(7):- Typical uniaxial compressive and tensile stress-strain curve for concrete.
The present study assumed that the concrete is a homogeneous and initially isotropic.
The compressive uniaxial stress-strain relationship for concrete model is obtained by using
the following equations to compute the multilinear isotropic stress-strain curve for the
concrete
(10,11)
shown in figure 8
(12)
.
2
1
|
|

\
|
+
=
o
c
c
E
f

for

< <
1
(2)
'
c c
f f = for
cu
< <

(3)
c
'
c
o
E
f 2
= (4)
The simplified stress-strain curve for each beam model is constructed from six points
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
94
connected by straight lines. The curve starts at zero stress and strain. Point 1, at , is
calculated for the stress-strain relationship of the concrete in the linear range (must satisfy
Hookes law). Points 2, 3, and 4 are obtained from Equation 2, in which
o
is calculated from
Equation 4. Point 5 is at
o
and . The behavior is assumed to be perfectly plastic after
point 5
(13).
Fig.(8):- Simplified compressive uniaxial stress-strain curve for concrete
3.2.2- Steel
Steel was assumed to be an elastic-perfectly plastic material and identical in tension and
compression. Poissons ratio of 0.3 was used for the steel reinforcement in this study Figure
(9) shows the stress-strain relationship used in this study. Material properties for the steel
reinforcement for all eight models are as follows:
Elastic modulus, E
s
= 200,000 MPa ,Poissons ratio (0.3).
Fig.(9):- Stress-strain curve for steel reinforcement
3.2.3- Carbon Fiber Reinforced polymer
FRP composites are materials that consist of two constituents. The constituents are
combined at a macroscopic level and are not soluble in each other. One constituent is the
reinforcement, which is embedded in the second constituent, a continuous polymer called the
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
95
matrix. The reinforcing material is in the form of fibers, i.e., carbon and glass, which are
typically stiffer and stronger than the matrix. The FRP composites are anisotropic materials;
that is, their properties are not the same in all directions. Figure (10) shows a schematic of
FRP composites.
Fig.(10):- shows a schematic of FRP composites
Linear elastic properties of the CFRP composites were assumed throughout this study.
Figure (11) shows the stress-strain curves used in this study for the FRP composites in the
direction of the fiber.
Fig.(11):- Stress-strain curves for the FRP composites in the direction of the fibers
4- NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF RESULTS
4.1 Load-Deflection curves
Deflections are measured at midspan at the center of the bottom face of the beams.
Figures (12) to (19) show the load-deflection curves for the control and flexural-strengthened
beams for experimental
(8)
and analytical results. In general, the load deflection curves for the
beams from the finite element analyses agree quite well with the experimental data. The finite
element load deflection curves in the linear range are somewhat stiffer than the experimental
plots. After first cracking, the stiffness of the finite element models is again higher than that
of the experimental beams. There are several effects that may cause the higher stiffnesses in
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
96
the finite element models. First, microcracks are present in the concrete for the experimental
beams, and could be produced by drying shrinkage in the concrete and/or handling of the
beams. On the other hand, the finite element models do not include the microcracks. The
microcracks reduce the stiffness of the experimental beams. Next, perfect bond between the
concrete and steel reinforcing is assumed in the finite element analyses, but the assumption
would not be true for the experimental beams. As bond slip occurs, the composite action
between the concrete and steel reinforcing is lost. Thus, the overall stiffness of the
experimental beams is expected to be lower than for the finite element models (which also
generally impose additional constraints on behavior).
B5-16D-0L
0
20
40
60
80
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(12):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B5)
B6-16D-1L10
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(13):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B6)
B7-16D-1L15
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(14):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B7)
B8-16D-2L15
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(15):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B8)
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
97
B9-20D-0L
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(16):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B9)
B10-20D-1L10
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(17):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B10)
B11-20D-1L15
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Displacement (mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(18):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B11)
B12-20D-2L15
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Displacement(mm)
L
o
a
d

(
k
N
)
EXP
FEM
Fig.(19):- Load-deflection curve of beam
(B12)
4.2- Stresses and Strain Distribution in Beams
Figure (20) shows the predicted stress distribution in concrete for beam (B11) along a
section of mid-span of the beam at various stages of loading. The stress distribution in
concrete at the early stages was linear. After cracking load the distribution of concrete stress
becomes nonlinear. As the load is increased, position of the neutral axis is shifted toward the
compression zone of the cross section. The increase in concrete strain of beam along a section
of the beam at various stages of loading is also presented in Figure (21). the variation of strain
was almost linear until failure. The linear variation of strain can be attributed to the proper
anchorage of the CFRP sheet to the supports. The proper anchorage prevented the debonding
of CFRP sheet from concrete.
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
98
23.5212
17.7234 11.3
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 5 10 15 20 25
Stress (MPa)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
m
)
P=104 (kN)
P=51.88 (kN)
P=31.86 (kN)
Fig.(20):- Stress Distribution for Concrete Section of beam (11)
Strain profile B11
0
50
100
150
200
250
-0.005 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Strain (mm/mm)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
m
)
P=104 (kN)
P=95.5 (Kn)
P=78.68 (kN)
Fig.(21):- Strain Distribution for beam (11)
4.3 Crack pattern
The ANSYS program records a crack pattern at each applied load step. Figures (22) to
(24) shows evolutions of crack patterns developing for each beam at the last loading step.
ANSYS program displays circles at locations of cracking or crushing in concrete elements.
Cracking is shown with a circle outline in the plane of the crack, and crushing is shown with
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
99
an octahedron outline. The first crack at an integration point is shown with a red circle
outline, the second crack with a green outline, and the third crack with a blue outline
(7)
. And
these figures show comparison of cracks patterns between experimental beams and finite
element beams at failure load. In general, flexural cracks occur early at midspan. When
applied loads increase, vertical flexural cracks spread horizontally from the midspan to the
support. At a higher applied load, diagonal tensile cracks appear. Increasing applied loads
induces additional diagonal and flexural cracks. Finally, compressive cracks appear at nearly
the last applied load steps.
Fig.(22):- Cracks patterns in beam (6) and finite element model of beam( 6)
Fig.(23):- Cracks patterns in beam (10) and finite element model of beam( 10)
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
100
Fig.(24):- Cracks patterns in beam (12) and finite element model of beam( 12)
The failure modes of the finite element models show good agreement with
observations and data from the experimental full-scale beams. The addition of FRP
reinforcement to the control beam shifts the behavior of the beams from a shear failure near
the ends of the beam to flexure failure at the midspan.
4.4 Loads at Failure
Table 5 shows comparisons between the ultimate loads of the experimental beams
(8)
and the final loads from the finite element models. The final loads for the finite element
models at the last applied load steps before the solution diverges due to numerous cracks and
large deflections. It is seen that the ANSYS models underestimate the strengths of the beams,
as anticipated. One explanation is that the toughening mechanisms at the crack faces, i.e. the
grain bridging process, interlocking between the cracked faces, crack tips blunted by voids,
and the crack branching process, may also slightly extend the failures of the experimental
beams before complete collapse. The finite element models do not have these mechanisms.
Finally, the material properties and (model) assumed in this study may be imperfect.
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
101
Table (5): Comparisons between the ultimate loads of the experimental beams
(8)
and the final
loads from the finite element models.
5- CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, nonlinear finite element analyses of rectangular reinforced concrete
beams strengthened by CFRP are performed. Based on the numerical results, the following
conclusions may be drawn:
1. The general behavior of the finite element models represented by the load-deflection
curves at midspan show good agreement with the test data from the full-scale beam
tests. However, the finite element models show slightly more stiffness than the test
data in both the linear and nonlinear ranges. The effects of bond slip (between the
concrete and steel reinforcing) and microcracks occurring in the actual beams were
excluded in the finite element models, contributing to the higher stiffness of the finite
element models.
2. The final loads from the finite element analyses are lower than the ultimate loads from
the experimental results. This is probably due ignoring the effects of concrete
toughening mechanisms; and using assumed materials properties values instead of
measured values.
3. The load carrying capacity of the Flexure strengthened beam predicted by the finite
element analysis is higher than that of the Control Beam.
4. The crack patterns at the final loads from the finite element models correspond well
with the observed failure modes of the experimental beams.
Beam
Experimental
(8)
ultimate load
(kN)
Numerical
ultimate load
(kN)
%
Difference
Increased in
ultimate load of
strengthened
B5-16D-0L 75.94
64 15.7 1.00
B6-16D-1L10 84.93
72 15.2 1.13
B7-16D-1L15 94.92
78.4 17.4 1.23
B8-16D-2L15 105.91
94 11.2 1.47
B9-20D-0L 96.42
88.8 7.9 1.00
B10-20D-1L10 106.32
98 7.8 1.10
B11-20D-1L15 108.91
104 4.5 1.17
B12-20D-2L15 113.41
112 1.2 1.26
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
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7- REFERENCES
1. ACI Committee 440F. Guide for the design and construction of externally bonded
FRP systems for strengthening concrete structures. 2002.
2. ACI 318M-05, American Concrete Institute,(2005) Building Code Requirements for
Reinforced Concrete, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
3. David ,E.,Djelal, C. and Buyle-Bodin , F., Repair and Strengthening of Reinforced
Concrete Beams using Composite Matreials,second Int. PhD. Symposium in Civil
Engineering, 1998 Budapest, WWW.vbt.bme.hu.
4. Minh,N.D.,Khan,C.T. and Kiat, C.H, Effect of Plate Length on The Strength of
Reinforced Concrete Beams Bounded with CFRP plates ,School of Civil and
Structural Engineering , Nanyang Technological University 1998.
5. P. Alagusundaramoorthy, I. E. Harik, and C.C. Choo,( 2002) Shear strength of R/C
beams wrapped with CFRP fabric Kentucky transportation center, college of
engineering, 2002.
6. Hsuan-Ten Hu , Fu-ming lin, Yih-yuan Jan ,(2004),Nonlinear Finite Element
Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened by Fiber Reinforced Composite
Structure 63,pp 271-281.
7. Ansys Manual , Version 10.0
8. M. R. Esfahani , M. R. Kianoush ,A. R. Tajari , (2006) , Flexural Behavior of
Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened by CFRP Sheets , Engineering Structure.
9. ASTM D3039 ,Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix
Composite Materials, West Conshohocken ,(Pennsywania) : American Society for
Testing and Materials,1995.
10. Desayi, P. and Krishnan, S., (1964) Equation for the Stress-Strain Curve of Concrete,
Journal of the American Concrete Institute, 61, pp. 345-350, March.
11. Gere, J. M. and Timoshenko, S. P.,(1997) Mechanics of Materials, PWS Publishing
Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
12. Wolanski A. J.,(2004) Flexural Behavior of Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete
Beams using Finite Element Analysis, M.Sc. Thesis, University of Marquette, May .
13. Kachlakev , D. I. and Mccurry D.I. ,Simulated Full Scale Testing of Renforced
Concrete Beams Strengthened with FRP Composite: Experimental Results and Design
Model Verification United State Department of Transportation , Fedral Highway
Administration.
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
103
Notations
Ultimate uniaxial compressive strength
!
.
E
c
Concrete elastic modulus
!
.
E
s
Steel elastic modulus
!
.

c
stress at any strain ( N/mm
2
)
f
r
Concrete modulus of rupture
!
.
Strain

1
strain corresponding to ( )

cu
ultimate compressive strain

o
Strain at the ultimate compressive strength
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with CFRP in Flexural
Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02, No. 02, December 2009
104


.



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.


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