Design of Externally Plated R.C. Beams Against Premature Interface Debonding Failure

As regards prediction of the premature interface debonding failure load of externally plated R.C. beams, over the last 10 years, a substantial literature of often very mathematical nature has appeared in the public domain, much of which is inconclusive and non of which appear to enjoy general reliability for everyday practical applications. Bearing this in mind, in the present paper, the salient features and the final simple formulations as well as extensive experimental verification of a very simple model (aimed at practising engineers) is presented with its final predictions backed by a substantial body of large-scale experimental data, covering a wide range of first order beam design parameters, with the experimental database including both steel and FRP plated beams. With the general reliability of the model verified, the paper will then report the outcome of a series of theoretical parametric studies aimed at optimising the design procedure against debonding failure. Finally, to facilitate the use of the proposed formulations, a worked example is also included.