Numerical analysis of the interface behaviour for FRP applications

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) are already widely used in civil engineering as strengthening of structural elements. For this kind of applications it is very important to understand the actual behaviour of the interface. In this paper,the results obtained from some numerical investigations are reported. A FEA (Finite Element Analysis) has been carried out to simulate the interface behaviour of reinforced concrete elements strengthened with FRP. To study the interface behaviour different strengthening configurations, such as different fibres typology (glass or carbon), different composite cross section area (one or two layers) and elastic modulus (high strength, HS, or high modulus, HE, of CFRP) have been taken into account. For this numerical analysis the programme ATENA® has been used. The numerical results have been compared with some experimental data. Moreover the results of a parametric analysis are illustrated.