Modeling and simulation of bond-slip behavior of Aluminum Alloy plates adhesively bonded to concrete

Abstract

External bonding of steel, fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) and other materials has proven its reliability and effectiveness in strengthening deteriorated reinforced concrete (RC) structures. However, due to some shortcomings of these conventional materials, researchers are seeking new strengthening materials. This paper explores the use of Aluminum Alloy (AA) plates as a newly strengthening material. The bond between the strengthening material and the strengthened one is the most important factor in the success of the strengthening process. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to model and simulate the behavior of bond stress-slip between AA plate and concrete surface. A finite element model for a single shear test has been developed and the results were compared to the experimental results. The bonded length of the AA plate is taken as 200 mm which represents 80% of the concrete prism length. It was observed that the bond stress, loading capacity and failure modes of AA were comparable with those of CFRP plates. This validates that AA plates can be used with confidence as externally bonded reinforcement EBR material.