Unified analytical approach for determining shear capacity of RC beams strengthened with FRP

This paper presents a rational model to predict the ultimate load capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened by a combination of longitudinal and transverse fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite plates/sheets (flexure and shear strengthening system). The model is based on the truss analogy and the theory of plasticity and is opportunely refined in order to incorporate some critical aspects, such as variable angle crack, non-uniform FRP stress distribution over the shear crack, shear span/depth ratio. It is a general and unified model that allows consideration of all the main possible failure mechanisms of strengthened RC beams, related to flexural-shear interaction, shear web-crushing and pure flexural mechanisms. The model is validated against a large number of beam tests reported in the literature, involving a wide range of geometrical and mechanical characteristics. The numerical investigation shows a very satisfactory correlation between predicted and experimental data.