Damage Modelling of Adhesive Joint in Composite Reinforced Metallic Beams - Cohesive Interface Analysis

Other conference contribution, 2008

A new method for repair or strengthening of metallic structures has been developed and investigated during the recent years. The traditional way of upgrading metallic beam elements have been by use of additional metallic plates, which have been either bolted or welded to the existing substrate. The new method involves use of advanced composite plates, commonly made of unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP). The CFRP plates are adhesively bonded to the metallic beam to reduce the stresses in the tension area of the metallic section. Today, there are no established codes or standards for structural design of externally reinforced metallic beams in civil engineering. However, different approaches have been recommended in order to accurately determine the CFRP/Adhesive/Steel interfaces properties. Present paper focuses on the finite element modelling of steel specimens reinforced CFRP where the adhesive is modelled with cohesive interface elements. Results from three experimental tests are compared to numerical results, and discussed in terms of load-deformation relation.