Numerical analyses of adhesive-bonded joints in steel I-beams reinforced with CFRP strips

Lublin University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, poland

^* Corresponding author: m.kowal@pollub.pl

Abstract

Numerical analyses represent a useful structure-dimensioning tool and are indispensable for the analyses of structures featuring varied materials or complex geometric layouts. Modelling reinforced structures by gluing their elements is complicated as frequently at least two elements, made of different materials, are joined. This influences their behaviour under a load. Numerical analyses can provide invaluable support in this respect. To compare the laboratory test results obtained by the authors referring to reinforcing bent steel I-beams with adhesive-bonded composite-CFRP strips, and theoretical analyses (which are not the subject of this study), a preliminary FEM analysis was carried out. FEM analysis models were created with the same geometries and material parameters of the strengthening composite strip, the adhesive, and the reinforced I-beam, as in the laboratory tests. The distribution of stresses along the bond end, and their maximum values at the strip end, were specified in detail. ABAQUS®6.12-3 software was used to verify the results. The compliance of the FEM analysis with the laboratory measurements was confirmed in terms of the identified values and shearing-stress diagrams.