Finite element analysis of CFRP prestressed concrete beams

Abstract

This thesis investigates the shear capacities of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) prestressed concrete T-beams using a non-linear finite element analysis. The finite element models on ANSYS are validated with the experimental results of four beams having the shear span-to-depth (a/d) ratios of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 subjected to four-point bending and that of a beam subjected to a uniformly distributed load. The numerical results are within 10% range of accuracy in comparison to the experimental results. The validated models are used to investigate the influence of the a/d ratios and the prestressing force level on the beam capacity. The analysis indicates that the shear capacity of the beams is inversely dependent on the a/d ratio. It also shows that the increase in the prestressing force by 37% results in a 5.1% increase in the beam shear capacity. The comparison of the analysis results and the North American design shear formulas shows that the formula given by the CSA S806-12 gives similar a/d dependency but lower values of shear resistance than the analysis.