Integrity of Precracked Reinforced Concrete Retrofitted withComposite Laminates

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9634763 Buyukozturk The objective of this research is to provide a scientific basis for the underlying mechanisms of fracture and delamination of precracked reinforced concrete retrofitted using fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite laminates, and to develop design guidelines for efficient applications and safe engineering designs of these systems. Laminated beams have been observed to fail through several mechanisms, including yielding of the laminate, crushing of the concrete, and brittle fracture through delamination of the composite from the concrete. Available experience has shown that fracture through delamination can occur at stress below material limits and under loads within normal service. The emphasis of this study will be on delamination and its causes, specifically in the presence of combined flexural and shear cracks in the retrofitted concrete beam. Fracture mechanics based combined experimental and numerical studies of failure initiating from the concrete-adherent-laminate interface region will be performed on concrete beams laminated with fiber-reinforced plastics. Parametric investigations involving different materials and construction techniques will determine the optimum effectiveness of these combinations. The project will have the collaboration of Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) in Switzerland where large scale tests will be conducted with consistent parameters as will be used in this study. This research is expected to provide a fundamental knowledge of FRP delamination, and be developing the needed design guidelines to have a direct impact on engineering application in the retrofitting field in an efficient, economical, and safe manner. ***