Numerical Assessment of the Impact Behavior of CFRP strengthened RC beams using different concrete models

Abstract

In the current paper, a numerical study was carried out using the finite element (FE) approach in order to simulate the impact behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets attached to the tensile face of the RC beam. A three-dimensional finite element model was constructed and carried out using ABAQUS/Explicit software. Different material models were employed to simulate the nonlinear behavior of concrete to better understand the response of reinforced concrete structures subjected to impact loads. The examined concrete models were; Drucker-Prager, concrete damage plasticity, and Cap/Plasticity. Numerical results were verified alongside experimental ones available in the literature. The general behavior of the finite element models in terms of time-deflection at the beam mid-span, time-load, and failure mode showed good coherence with those obtained experimentally. Moreover, results showed that the concrete damage plasticity model exhibited more realistic results, that were asymptotic to experimental results, than other models.