Nonlinear numerical analysis of the debonding failure process of FRP-to-concrete interfaces

The paper analyses numerical solutions for the process leading to debonding failure of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP)-to-concrete interfaces in shear tests with the FRP plate subjected to a tensile load at one end. Any realistic local nonlinear bond-slip law can be used in the numerical analysis proposed in the present study. However, only a Popovics' type expression is employed in the numerical process due to its use in different studies found in the literature. Effective bond length (L-eff) is discussed and an expression depending on the Popovics' constant (n(P)) is proposed to calculate it. Assuming a fracture in pure Mode II, the debonding process is analysed in detail and distributions of bond stresses and strains in the FRP plate along the interface are presented. The load-displacement behaviour is also presented and the influence of the local bond-slip law on the debonding process is discussed. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.