Finite Element Modeling of Steel-concrete Composite Beams Strengthened With Prestressed Cfrp Plate

Results from finite element modeling (FEM) of large-scale steel-concrete composite beams strengthened in flexure with prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate were validated with experimental results and presented in this paper. The effect of varying the level of prestressing as percentage of the ultimate tensile strength of the CFRP plate was investigated. Comparison was carried out in terms of overall load-deflection behavior, strain profile along the length of the CFRP plate, and strain distribution across the depth of the beam at mid-span section. Very good agreement was observed between the finite element (FE) and the experimental results. The validated FE models were used to perform a comprehensive parametric study to investigate the changes in the behavior through wider range of prestressing levels and then, determine the optimum prestressing level that maintain the unstrengthened beams' original ductility (or energy absorption). An iterative analytical model was also developed, validated with both the FE model and the experimental results, and showed good agreement. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the effect of changing the yield strength of the steel and the concrete compressive strength on the moment of resistance of the section and the strain in the CFRP plate at ultimate.