ABSTRACT
This paper outlines a simplified 2D FEM approach to model FRP reinforced concrete members with commercial FEM software. Due to limitations in this type of software, engineers can overcome these design problems with some creative modelling techniques. When linear-elastic calculations are performed, the uncracked behaviour is well captured. As soon as the first crack appears, designers should manually reduce the bending stiffness to investigate the cracked behaviour accurately. In the proposed FEM model, a lumped and smeared cracked stiffness was used to get more realistic simulation results for the cracked phase during the loading process. Moreover, a shell element model was chosen to account for shear deformations of the concrete cross-section, whereas these mechanical effects are neglected in slab or beam models. The reinforcement is included as one single beam element with equivalent stiffness properties in the FEM approach. Finally, a case study for future shear tests will be presented.
