A FE-based limit analysis approach for concrete elements reinforced with FRP bars

The aim of this paper is to verify the validity of a FE-based methodology, founded on limit analysis theory, to predict peak load and failure mechanism of concrete elements reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars. Due to dilatancy, which implies the adoption of a nonstandard constitutive flow law for concrete, such methodology makes use of two different numerical procedures to search for an upper and a lower bound to the actual peak load. A certain number of experimental tests on FRP reinforced concrete elements carried out up to collapse are numerically reproduced and the related predictions, in terms of peak loads and failure modes, are critically discussed. The comparison between experimental findings and numerical results for six beams and six slabs has proved reasonably good and places the proposed methodology as a simple design-tool of practical connotation oriented to FRP-reinforced concrete elements.