FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES STRENGTHENED WITH FRP LAMINATES

Abstract

Linear and nonlinear finite element method models were developed for a reinforced concrete bridge that had been strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. ANSYS and SAP2000 modeling software were used; however, most of the development effort used ANSYS. The model results agreed well with measurements from full-size laboratory beams and the actual bridge. As expected, a comparison using model results showed that the structural behavior of the bridge before and after strengthening was nearly the same for legal loads. Guidelines for developing finite element models for reinforced concrete bridges were discussed.