Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of RC Beams without Stirrups Strengthened by Longitudinal Soffit Bonded CFRP Strips for Shear

Abstract

This study concerns utilization of nonlinear finite element method for to evaluate the role of longitudinal soffit-bonded CFRP strips in elevating the shear behavior of RC beams without stirrups. All beams cross-sections were of 150 mm breadth and 200 mm depth, the overall length was 1500 mm with clear span 1300 mm. One beam was provided by minimum web reinforcement according to the ACI 318M-14, while the other five were without web reinforcement but externally strengthened by a variety of CFRP-strip combinations consisting of longitudinal soffit-bonded strips. The predictions of a proposed ANSYS (version 14.5) model for six of the test beams including modeling of concrete, steel rebars, CFRP strips and supports and loading steel plates, by SOLID65, LINK180, SHELL41 and SOLID185 elements, respectively, show high agreements with experimental evidence, which stands as a definite witness to the efficiency and reliability of the present numerical model.