Fatigue performance simulation of reinforced concrete beams externally strengthened with side bonded CFRP sheets

Abstract

Damaged Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams are commonly strengthened by bonding Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strips to their soffits. However, inaccessible or narrow soffits limit the use of bottom-bonded CFRP strips. The Side Bonded (SB) CFRP technique overcomes this, yet studies on SB-CFRP-reinforced beams' fatigue behavior are limited. This paper presents a Finite Element (FE) model for simulating the fatigue behavior of RC beams externally strengthened with SB-CFRP sheets. The model incorporates cyclic-dependent CFRP-concrete interface degradation. Existing experimental results are utilized to validate its accuracy. Computational analyses are undertaken to explore the effects of CFRP dimensions, load and prestress levels, and end-U-shaped wrapping on fatigue performance. A simple model is proposed to predict fatigue life considering load and prestress levels. The FE model effectively predicts fatigue performance. Parametric studies indicate that narrow CFRP strips are unable to prevent concrete failure under high loads. Fatigue failure modes include rebar ruptures and CFRP delamination. Besides, the end-U-shaped wrapping reduces interface damage, extending fatigue life. The study emphasizes the sensitivity of vibration excitation method to CFRP debonding. The proposed equation efficiently predicts the fatigue life of RC beams with externally bonded CFRP strips on their sides.