• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.409-420
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• 2019

The paper presents the results of an experimental and numerical programme to characterize the behaviour of steel beams reinforcement by composite plates. Important failure mode of such plated beams is the debonding of the composite plates from the steel beam due to high level of stress concentration in the adhesive at the ends of the composite plate. In this new research, an experimental and numerical finite element study is presented to calculate the stresses in the sika carbodur and sika wrap reinforced steel beam under mechanical loading. The main objective of the experimental program was the evaluation of the force transfer mechanism, the increase of the load capacity of the steel beam and the flexural stiffness. It also validated different analytical and numerical models for the analysis of sika carbodur and sika wrap reinforced steel beams. In particular, a finite element model validated with respect to the experimental data and in relation to the analytical approach is presented. Experimental and numerical results from the present analysis are presented in order to show the advantages of the present solution over existing ones and to reconcile debonding stresses with strengthening quality.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.233-259
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• 2020

Using bonded fiber-reinforced polymer laminates for strengthening wooden structural members has been shown to be an effective and economical method. In this research, properties of suitable composite materials (sika wrap), adhesives and two ways of strengthening beams exposed to bending moment are presented. Passive or slack reinforcement is one way of strengthening. The most effective way of such a strengthening was to place reinforcement laminates in the stretched part of the wooden beam (lower part in our case), in order to investigate the effectiveness of externally bonding FRP to their soffits. The model is based on equilibrium and deformations compatibility requirements in and all parts of the strengthened beam, i.e., the wooden beam, the sika wrap composite plate and the adhesive layer. The theoretical predictions are compared with other existing solutions. This research is helpful for the understanding on mechanical behaviour of the interface and design of the composite-wooden hybrid structures. The results showed that the use of the new strengthening system enhances the performance of the wooden beam when compared with the traditional strengthening system.