Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792

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Composite Structures
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/compstruct

Studies on FRP-concrete interface with hardening and softening bond-slip law

Hong Yuan a,⇑, Xusheng Lu a, David Hui b, Luciano Feo c
a
MOE Key Lab of Disaster and Control in Engineering, Institute of Applied Mechanics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
b
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of New Orleans, USA
c
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Italy

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This latest experimental study proposes a theory that the bond-slip law for a FRP-concrete interface con-
Available online 18 June 2012 tains linear hardening and exponential softening. On the basis of this law, the paper studies the mechanic
behavior and debonding process of a FRP-concrete interface. Firstly, through nonlinear fracture mechan-
Keywords: ics, the analytical solutions of the interface shear stress, the axial normal stress of FRP and the load–dis-
FRP placement relationship at the loaded end with the single shear test model of FRP-concrete are acquired.
Harden The shear stress propagation as well as the debonding process of the whole interface for different bond
Soften
lengths could be predicted. Secondly, a simplified interface bond-slip law is used by changing the expo-
Load–displacement relationship
Ultimate load
nential softening law into a linear softening law. In addition, the analytical solutions for the simplified
Effective bond length interface bond-slip law could also be obtained. Finally, based on the analytical solutions of the two
bond-slip laws, the influences of the FRP bond length and stiffness on load–displacement curve and
the ultimate load, as well as stiffness on effective bond length were discussed, with the similarities
and differences between the two bond-slip laws also being studied.
Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The functions of building structures could gradually become
weaker due to both long term use and the natural environment.
Studies show that fiber reinforced composite (Fiber Reinforced
Polymer, referred to as FRP) reinforcements are an effective
strengthening method, with them being given a great attention
by the structural engineering industry.
At present, both domestic and foreign studies have been carried
out on FRP reinforced concrete structures. The performance of the
FRP-concrete interface is the base factor of this technique. The
failure mode of FRP-reinforced beams is regularly related to the
debonding of the FRP plate from the concrete. The debonding of
the plate may take place either from the edge of the FRP strip or
the intermediate flexural crack [1]. Based on single-lap shear
specimens, Chajes et al. [2], Bizindavyi and Neale [3] studied the
FRP-concrete interface bond strength and stress propagation. A
constitutive law with the softening characteristics was proposed.
Yoshizawa et al. [4] carried out several studies on the bond behav-
ior of FRP-concrete based on single and double shear specimens.
Nakaba [5] has carried out a lot of research on FRP-concrete deb-
onding strength on double lap shear specimens. Yao et al. [6] stud-
ied the FRP-concrete interface shear strength based on single-shear
tests. Among theoretical studies, Täljsten [7] used an elastic bond-
⇑ Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +86 20 85228275.
E-mail address: tyuanhong@jnu.edu.cn (H. Yuan).
slip model for FRP-concrete interface analysis. Brosens and Van
Gemert [8] obtained the ultimate load for a linear softening
bond-slip model. Yuan et al. [9] and Wu et al. [10] gave the ulti-
mate load expression for different FRP and concrete widths. Using
a simple three-parameter bond-slip constitutive model, Chirsto-
pher KYL [11] divided the FRP-concrete interface into three
regions, and obtained the shear stress distribution in each region.
Teng et al. [12] used an elastic-softening bilinear bond-slip model
to study the double shear FRP-concrete interface. Yuan et al. [13]
used the same bond-slip model for the single side FRP reinforced
concrete model to find the analytical solution of FRP-concrete
interface. Analytical solutions in closed-form for the complete
debonding process are also available for a local bond-slip law with
linear softening [14] and nonlinear softening [15].
Based on the latest experimental results of a FRP-concrete inter-
face with linear hardening and exponential softening bond-slip
constitutive [16], this paper studies the FRP-concrete interface
debonding process. Closed-form solutions are given.
2. Interface model of FRP-to-concrete
2.1. Interface model
The adhesive bonded joint analyzed, shown in Fig. 1, may be
considered as a simple and typical model of FRP-strengthened
structures in order to understand stress transfer and debonding
behavior. The adhesive layer is mainly subjected to shear (mode

0263-8223/$ - see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2012.06.009
3782 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792

x τ

steel/FRP laminate tp P bc bp
L τf
tc concrete
P II

Fig. 1. Adhesive bonded joint. βτf

II fracture). The thickness and width of the two layers are tp and bp
for the upper steel/FRP laminate, and tc and bc for the lower con- I III
crete plate, respectively. The Young’s moduli of the steell/FRP lam- Gf
inate and the concrete plate are Ep and Ec, repectively. L is the
bonding length. Before starting the derivations, the following
assumptions can made for the simplicity of problems:
δ
0 αδ1 δ1
 The adherents are homogeneous and linear elastic.
 The adhesive is only exposed to shear forces.
Fig. 3. Bond-slip law with exponential softening.
 Bending effects are neglected.
 The normal stresses are uniformly distributed over the cross-
section. Equation (7) is the governing differential equation of the adhe-
 The thickness and width of the adherents are constant through- sive bonded joint in Fig. 1. When the local bond-slip law is found,
out the bond line. this equation can be solved.

2.2. Governing equations 2.3. Bond-slip law

Considering the element shown in Fig. 2, the equilibrium A study by a South Korean scientist shows how the local bond-
equations for adherents can be written as slip law can be described as in Fig. 3. The interfacial shear stress in-
drp s creases linearly to bsf(b < 1) when the corresponding interface slip
 ¼0 ð1Þ increases to ad1(a < 1). It is called an elastic state (state I). Then, the
dx tp
interfacial shear stress increases linearly to peak sf, while the inter-
rp t p b p þ rc t c b c ¼ 0 ð2Þ face slip increases from ad1 to d1. It is called a hardening state
where s is the shear stress in the adhesive layer. The constitutive (state II). When the interface slip attains to d1, interface softening
equations for the adhesive layer and the two adherents are appears, and the interfacial shear stress decays exponentially with
expressed as the interface slip. It is called a softening state (state III). The math-
ematical expressions of the interface bond-slip law in Fig. 3 are
s ¼ f ðdÞ ð3Þ 8 sf
du >
> b d; 0 6 d 6 ad1
> ad1h
rp ¼ E p p ð4Þ <
sf
i
dx f ðdÞ ¼
ð1bÞd
þ ðb  aÞ ; ad1 < d 6 d1 ð10Þ
1a d1
duc >
>
rc ¼ E c ð5Þ >
:  sf

dx sf e k 1 ;
ðdd Þ
d > d1
where up and uc are the displacements of FRP and concrete. The bond-slip law in this paper is called the exponential model.
The interface slip d is defined as the relative displacement of Gf, the interfacial facture energy of the bond-slip law is the area
two bonded layers. enclosed by the curve and the d axis in Fig. 3.
d ¼ up  uc ð6Þ 1
Gf ¼ Gf I þ Gf II þ Gf III ¼ ð1  a þ bÞsf d1 þ k ð11Þ
Substituting (2)–(5) into (1) yields, by introducing two parame- 2
ters of local bond strength sf and interfacial fracture energy Gf where GfI, GfII and GfIII are the areas under the curves, associated
2 with the elastic, hardening and softening region, respectively. Based
d d 2Gf 2 on the above bond-slip law, the interfacial shear stress, axial normal
 2 k f ðdÞ ¼ 0 ð7Þ
dx2 sf stress in FRP and the load–displacement relationship at the loaded
s2f dd end could be obtained.
rp ¼  ð8Þ In Fig. 4, the exponential softening model is simplified. When
2Gf tp k2 dx
the interface slip increases to d1, softening appears, then the inter-
where face shear stress decreases linearly with the slip. When the
interface slip attains to df, the interfacial shear stress reduces to
s2f  1 bp

k2 ¼ þ ð9Þ zero. It is called a debonding state (state IV). The mathematical
2Gf Ep t p bc Ec t c expressions of the interface bond-slip law in Fig. 4 are

Fig. 2. Deformation and stresses of bonded joint.

 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792 3783

τ ad1 Pk1 coshðk1 xÞ

d¼  ð18Þ
bsf bp sinhðk1 LÞ
Pk1 coshðk1 xÞ
τf s¼  ð19Þ
bp sinhðk1 LÞ
II
P sinhðk1 xÞ
βτf rp ¼  ð20Þ
bp t p sinhðk1 LÞ

III The interface slip D at the load end is defined as the displace-
I ment of the bonded joint. According to this definition, the relation-
Gf ship of the load–displacement from (18) can be obtained.
bsf bp D
P¼  tanhðk1 LÞ ð21Þ
IV k1 ad1
δ
0 αδ1 δ1 δf 3.1.2. Elastic-hardening stage
As the load increases, the interface shear stress is greater than
Fig. 4. Tri-linear bond-slip law. bsf, but less than sf at x = L. The load P increases as the hardening
8 sf length h increases. Substituting the relationship for 0 6 d 6 ad1
>
> b d; 0 6 d 6 ad1 and ad1 < d 6 d1 in (10) into (7), the following is obtained:
> s ad1h
> i
< f ð1bÞd þ ðb  aÞ ; ad < d 6 d
1 1 2
f ðdÞ ¼ 1a s d1 ð12Þ d d
>  f ðd  d Þ;
> d1 < d 6 df  k21 d ¼ 0; ð0 6 d 6 ad1 Þ ð22Þ
>
> f dx2
: df d1 2
0; d > df d d ba
The above bond-slip law is called a tri-linear model in the pa-  k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 < d 6 d1 Þ ð23Þ
dx2 1b
per. The expression df could be obtained by letting the interfacial
fracture energy Gf in Figs. 3 and 4 be equal. where k21 is given in Eq. (15), and
 
2k 2Gf 1  b sf 1  b sf 1 bp
df ¼ þ d1 ð13Þ k22 ¼ k2   ¼  þ ð24Þ
sf s2f 1  a d1 1  a d1 Ep tp bc Ec tc

Based on the tri-linear model, the interfacial shear stress, axial with the boundary and continuous conditions
normal stress in FRP and the load–displacement relationship at rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; ð25Þ
loaded end could also be obtained. rp is continuous at x ¼ L  h; ð26Þ
d ¼ ad1 at x ¼ L  h; and ð27Þ
3. Analysis of the debonding process for the exponential model rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ L ð28Þ

3.1. Long bond length L > h0 Based on the boundary conditions (25) and (27), the solution of
Eq. (22) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of the
With the bond–slip model defined in Fig. 3, the governing equa- adhesive layer as well as the normal stress of the laminate can be
tion (Eq. (7)) can be solved to find the shear stress distribution written in the form:
along the interface and the load–displacement response of the coshðk1 xÞ
d ¼ ad1 ð29Þ
bonded joint. The solution can be presented below stage by stage cosh½k1 ðL  hÞ
with illustrations of the corresponding interfacial shear stress dis- coshðk1 xÞ
s ¼ bsf ð30Þ
tribution and load–displacement curves. If the bond length L is cosh½k1 ðL  hÞ
longer than h0, the failure process would experience an elastic bs sinhðk1 xÞ
rp ¼ f  ð31Þ
stage, elastic-hardening stage, elastic-hardening–softening stage, t p k1 cosh½k1 ðL  hÞ
hardening–softening stage and softening stage.
Thus, based on the continuous condition (26) and boundary
condition (27), the solution of Eq. (23) for the relative shear
3.1.1. Elastic stage
displacement, the shear stress of the adhesive layer as well as
When the load is low, with the interface shear stress at the end
the normal stress of the laminate can be written in the form:
x = L being less than bsf, there is no hardening and softening.
Substituting the relationship for 0 6 d 6 ad1 in (10) into (7), the fol- ð1  aÞbd1 ad1 k1
d¼ cosh½k2 ðL  h  xÞ  tanh½k1 ðL  hÞ
lowing is obtained: 1b k2
2 ba
d d sinh½k2 ðL  h  xÞ  d1 ð32Þ
 k21 d ¼ 0; ð0 6 d 6 ad1 Þ ð14Þ 1b
dx2
að1  bÞk1 sf
where s ¼ bsf cosh½k2 ðL  h  xÞ  tanh½k1 ðL  hÞ
ð1  aÞk2
 
2Gf sf bsf 1 bp sinh½k2 ðL  h  xÞ ð33Þ
k21 ¼ k2  b ¼ þ ð15Þ
s2f ad1 ad1 Ep tp bc Ec tc bsf bsf
rp ¼ sinh½k2 ðL  h  xÞ þ tanh½k1 ðL  hÞ
with the boundary conditions
tp k2 tp k1
cosh½k2 ðL  h  xÞ ð34Þ
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; and ð16Þ
rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ L ð17Þ Substituting the boundary condition (28) into (34), the follow-
ing is obtained:
The solution of Eq. (14) for the relative shear displacement, the bbp sf bbp sf
shear stress of the adhesive layer as well as the normal stress of the P¼ sinhðk2 hÞ þ tanh½k1 ðL  hÞ coshðk2 hÞ ð35Þ
k2 k1
laminate can be written in the form:
3784 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792

The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained Through the approach of reducing-order, the solution of Eq. (40)
from (32) when x = L for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of the adhesive
ð1  aÞbd1 ad1 k1 ba layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be written in the
D¼ coshðk2 hÞ þ tanh½k1 ðL  hÞsinhðk2 hÞ  d1 ð36Þ
1b k2 1b form
2k  pffiffiffiffiffi  k
At this stage, the load–displacement curve could be drawn from d¼ ln cosh½k3 c1 ðx  c2 Þ  ln c1 ð54Þ
(35) and (36). sf sf
sf
When the interface slip increases to d1 at x = L, interface soften- c 1 s f e k d1
ing appears at the loaded end. When considering a shorter bond s¼ 2 pffiffiffiffiffi ð55Þ
cosh ½k3 c1 ðx  c2 Þ
length, the whole FRP-concrete interface is in hardening. Assuming
pffiffiffiffiffi s f
h0 covers the entire interface, then using the condition D = d1, the c 1 s f e k d1 pffiffiffiffiffi
following is obtained:
rp ¼ tanh½k3 c1 ðx  c2 Þ ð56Þ
tp k3
coshðk2 h0 Þ ¼ 1=b ð37Þ where the constants c1 and c2 could be determined by the boundary
condition (44) and continuous condition (46).
 2
3.1.3. Elastic-hardening–softening stage ð1  aÞsf k2 d1 coshðk2 hÞ  b
1 sf
c1 ¼ 2
 þ e  k d1 ð57Þ
As the load increases, the interface slip reaches d1, and the inter- 4k3 ð1  bÞk sinhðk 2 hÞ
face shear stress reaches the peak stress sf at x = L. The load P in-
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi
sf pffiffiffiffiffi
creased as the length of softening region a increased. Assuming 1 1 þ c 1  e  k d1 = c 1
c2 ¼ L  a  pffiffiffiffiffi ln qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi ð58Þ
the length of the hardening region is still expressed by h. Substitut- 2k3 c1 sf pffiffiffiffiffi
1  c 1  e  k d1 = c 1
ing the relationship in (10) into (7), the following is obtained:
2 Substituting boundary condition (47) into (56), the following is
d d
2
 k21 d ¼ 0; ð0 6 d 6 ad1 Þ ð38Þ obtained:
dx pffiffiffiffiffi sf
2
d d ba c 1 s f b p e k d1 pffiffiffiffiffi
 k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 < d 6 d1 Þ ð39Þ P¼ tanh ½k3 c1 ðL  c2 Þ ð59Þ
2 1b k3
dx
2
d d 2k  sf The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained
 k23 e k
d
¼ 0; ðd > d1 Þ ð40Þ from (54) when x = L,
dx
2 sf
2k  pffiffiffiffiffi  k
where k21 is given in (15), k22 is given in (24), and D¼ ln cosh ½k3 c1 ðL  c2 Þ  ln c1 ð60Þ
s2f   sf sf
2Gf sf sf sf 1 bp
k23 ¼ 2
k  sf e k d1  ¼ e k d1 þ ð41Þ From the continuous condition (45), the relational expression
s2f 2k 2k Ep tp bc Ec tc
between the hardening length h and the softening length a can
with the boundary and continuous conditions
be obtained.
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; ð42Þ
b 1  b coshðk2 hÞ
d ¼ ad1 at x ¼ L  a  h; ð43Þ tanh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ ¼ ð61Þ
k1 k2 sinhðk2 hÞ
d ¼ d1 at x ¼ L  a; ð44Þ
rp is continuous at x ¼ L  a  h; ð45Þ Thus, the load–displacement curve could be drawn from (59)–
(61).
rp is continuous at x ¼ L  a ð46Þ
This stage either ends or the hardening–softening stage starts at
rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ L ð47Þ a + h = L, then from (61), the following is obtained
Based on the boundary conditions (42) and (43), the solution of coshðk2 hcr Þ ¼ 1=b ð62Þ
Eq. (38) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of the
adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be written contrasted with (37), it is possible to know hcr = h0.
in the form It is simple to know that only when the bond length L is greater
coshðk1 xÞ than h0, the interface debonding stages given above would appear
d ¼ ad1 ð48Þ one by one.
cosh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ
coshðk1 xÞ
s ¼ bsf ð49Þ
cosh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ 3.1.4. Hardening–softening stage
bs sinhðk1 xÞ
rp ¼ f  ð50Þ When the interface slip reaches ad1 at x = 0, the whole interface
t p k1 cosh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ has both hardening and softening regions. The control differential
In addition, based on the boundary conditions (43) and (44), the equations in this stage are
solution of Eq. (39) for the relative shear displacement, the shear 2
d d ba
stress of the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate 2
 k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 6 d 6 d1 Þ ð63Þ
dx 1b
can be written in the form 2
d d 2k sf

ð1  aÞd1 sinh½k2 ðL  a  h  xÞ ð1  aÞbd1  k23 e k

d
¼ 0; ðd > d1 Þ ð64Þ
d¼  þ dx
2 sf
1b sinhðk2 hÞ 1b
sinh½k2 ðL  a  xÞ b  a where k22 is given in (24), k23 is given in (41), and with the boundary
  d1 ð51Þ and continuous conditions
sinhðk2 hÞ 1b
sinh½k2 ðL  a  h  xÞ sinh½k2 ðL  a  xÞ rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; ð65Þ
s ¼ sf þ bsf ð52Þ
sinhðk2 hÞ sinhðk2 hÞ d ¼ d1 at x ¼ h ¼ L  a; ð66Þ
sf cosh½k2 ðL  a  h  xÞ bsf cosh½k2 ðL  a  xÞ rp is continuous at x ¼ h ¼ L  a; and ð67Þ
rp ¼    ð53Þ
t p k2 sinhðk2 hÞ tp k2 sinhðk2 hÞ rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ L ð68Þ
 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792 3785

Based on the boundary conditions (65) and (66), the solution of m ¼ 2kk23 =sf ð82Þ
Eq. (63) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of the n ¼ sf =k ð83Þ
adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be written
in the form The boundary conditions are
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; and ð84Þ
ð1  aÞd1 coshðk2 xÞ ðb  aÞd1
d¼   ð69Þ rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ a ¼ L ð85Þ
1b coshðk2 hÞ 1b
sf coshðk2 xÞ Based on the boundary conditions, the following is obtained
s¼ ð70Þ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
coshðk2 hÞ 2nc
ðe2nc5 þ2ðLþc6 Þ ne 5  m2 nÞ ne2nc5 2G k2 P
s sinhðk2 xÞ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi p ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ¼ 2f ð86Þ
rp ¼ f  ð71Þ 2nc
nðe2nc5 þ2ðLþc6 Þ ne 5 þ m2 n þ 2m ne2nc5 eðLþc6 Þ ne 5 Þ
2nc sf bp
t p k2 coshðk2 hÞ
nc5 m2 n
c6 ¼  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi þ ln pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð87Þ
Similarly, from the boundary condition (66) and continuous ne2nc5 2 ne2nc5
condition (67), the solution of Eq. (64) for the relative shear dis-
From (86) and (87), the constants c5 and c6 could be determined,
placement, the shear stress of the adhesive layer and the normal
thus making it possible to obtain the general solution (81). Finally,
stress of the laminate can be written in the form
the shear stress of the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the
2k pffiffiffiffiffi k laminate can also be obtained. The expression of the slip at the
d¼ lnfcosh½k3 c3 ðx  c4 Þg  ln c3 ð72Þ loaded end could be obtained from (81) when x = L
sf sf
sf pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi

1 1
c3 sf e k d1 2nc 2nc
D ¼ ln ½e2L ne 5 þ2c6 ne 5 þ2nc5 þ 2m ne2nc5 e ne 5 ðLþc6 Þ þ m2 n2
2nc

s¼ 2pffiffiffiffiffi ð73Þ 2n n
cosh ½k3 c3 ðx  c4 Þ
L pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi c6 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ln 2
pffiffiffiffiffi s f  3c5  ne2nc5  ne2nc5  ð88Þ
c3 sf e k d1 pffiffiffiffiffi n n n
rp ¼ tanh ½k3 c3 ðx  c4 Þ ð74Þ
t p k3 Thus, the load–displacement curve could be drawn from (86)–
(88).
where
 2
ð1  aÞsf k2 d1
1 sf 3.2. Short bond length L < h0
c3 ¼  tanhðk2 hÞ þ e k d1 ð75Þ
4k23 ð1  bÞk
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi The bond length L is longer than h0 in the previous section. If the
sf pffiffiffiffiffi
1 1 þ c3  e k d1 = c3 bond length L is shorter than h0, as the slip equals ad1 at x = 0, the
c4 ¼ h  pffiffiffiffiffi ln qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi ð76Þ slip does not reach d1 at x = L, yet. The failure process would only
2k3 c3 sf pffiffiffiffiffi
1  c3  e k d1 = c3 experience an elastic stage, an elastic-hardening stage, a hardening
stage, a hardening–softening stage, and a softening stage.
Substituting the boundary condition (68) into (74), the follow-
The elastic, elastic-hardening, hardening–softening and soften-
ing is obtained:
ing stages are the same as the corresponding stages in 3.1, thus
pffiffiffiffiffi sf
the expressions of the interface slip, the interface shear stress,
c3 sf bp e k d1 pffiffiffiffiffi
P¼ tanh ½k3 c3 ðL  c4 Þ ð77Þ the normal stress of the laminate, and the relationship of the
k3
load–displacement are also the same. Only the hardening stage
The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained needs to be discussed further.
from (72) when x = L, When the interface slip reaches ad1 at x = 0, the whole interface
has only a hardening region. The governing differential equation in
2k  pffiffiffiffiffi  k
D¼ ln cosh ½k3 c3 ðL  c4 Þ  ln c3 ð78Þ this stage is
sf sf 2
d d ba
Thus, the load–displacement curve could be drawn from (77) 2
 k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 6 d 6 d1 Þ ð89Þ
dx 1b
and (78). This stage either ends or the softening stage starts at
h = 0, then from (75)–(77) the load at this time is obtained. where k22 is given in (24), and with the boundary conditions
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; and ð90Þ
sf sf qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi!
e  k d1 s f b p e k d1 sf rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ h ¼ L ð91Þ
P¼ tanh k3 L e k d1 ð79Þ
k3 Based on the boundary conditions, the solution of Eq. (89) for
3.1.5. Softening stage the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of the adhesive
When the interface slip reaches d1 at x = 0, the whole interface layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be written in the
has only a softening region. The governing differential equation form
in this stage is Pð1  aÞd1 k2 coshðk2 xÞ b  a
d¼  d1 ð92Þ
2 ð1  bÞsf bp sinhðk2 LÞ 1b
d d 2k sf
 k23 e k d ¼ 0; ðd P d1 Þ ð80Þ Pk coshðk2 xÞ
dx
2 sf s¼ 2 ð93Þ
bp sinhðk2 LÞ
where k23
is given in (41). P sinhðk2 xÞ
The general solution of Eq. (80) is rp ¼ ð94Þ
t p bp sinhðk2 LÞ
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi

1 1 2x ne2nc5 þ2c6 ne2nc5 þ2nc5 2nc

dðxÞ ¼ ln ½e þ 2m ne2nc5 e ne 5 ðxþc6 Þ þ m2 n2 The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained
2n n
from (92) when x = L,
ffi c6 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ln2
x pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 3c5  ne2nc5  ne2nc6  ð81Þ Pð1  aÞd1 k2 ba
n n n D¼  d1 ð95Þ
where c5 and c6 are constants,
ð1  bÞsf bp tanhðk2 LÞ 1  b
3786 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792

4. Analysis of the debonding process for the tri-linear model coshðk1 xÞ

d ¼ ad1 ð109Þ
cosh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ
Three values of critical bond length L0, au, h0 are identified with
coshðk1 xÞ
different failure process for the tri-linear model. These value are gi- s ¼ bsf ð110Þ
ven as follows cosh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ

bsf sinhðk1 xÞ
L0 ¼ h0 þ a0 ð96Þ rp ¼  ð111Þ
tp k1 cosh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ
p
a ¼ au ¼ ð97Þ
2k4 In addition, based on the boundary conditions (105) and (106),
the solution of Eq. (100) for the relative shear displacement, the
where h0 is as shown in Eq. (37), k4 is given in (102), and shear stress of the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the lam-
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi inate can be written in the form
ðdf  d1 Þk4 1  b2
tanðk4 a0 Þ ¼ ð98Þ ð1  aÞd1 sinh½k2 ðL  a  h  xÞ
ð1  aÞð1 þ bÞk2 d1 d¼ 
1b sinhðk2 hÞ

ð1  aÞbd1 sinh½k2 ðL  a  xÞ b  a

4.1. Long bond length L > L0 = h0 + a0 þ   d1 ð112Þ
1b sinhðk2 hÞ 1b
The failure process would experience an elastic stage, an sinh½k2 ðL  a  h  xÞ sinh½k2 ðL  a  xÞ
elastic-hardening stage, an elastic-hardening–softening stage, an s ¼ sf þ bsf ð113Þ
sinhðk2 hÞ sinhðk2 hÞ
elastic-hardening–softening-debonding stage, a hardening–soften-
ing-debonding stage, and softening-debonding stage for long bond sf cosh½k2 ðL  a  h  xÞ bsf cosh½k2 ðL  a  xÞ
length L > L0.
rp ¼    ð114Þ
tp k2 sinhðk2 hÞ tp k2 sinhðk2 hÞ
Finally, based on the continuous condition (104) and boundary
4.1.1. Elastic stage, elastic-hardening stage condition (105), the solution of Eq. (101) for the relative shear dis-
The elastic and elastic-hardening stages are the same as the placement, the shear stress of the adhesive layer and the normal
elastic stage as well as the elastic-hardening stage in 3.1, thus stress of the laminate can be written in the form
the expressions of the interface slip, the interface shear stress,
ð1  aÞk2 d1 ½coshðk2 hÞ  b sin½k4 ðL  a  xÞ
the normal stress of the laminate, as well as the relationship of d¼ 
the load–displacement are also the same. ð1  bÞk4 sinhðk2 hÞ
 ðdf  d1 Þ cos½k4 ðL  a  xÞ þ df ð115Þ
4.1.2. Elastic-hardening–softening stage ð1  aÞk2 d1 sf ½coshðk2 hÞ  b sin½k4 ðL  a  xÞ
As the load increases, the interface slip reaches d1 at x = L, and s¼ 
ð1  bÞk4 ðdf  d1 Þ sinhðk2 hÞ
interface softening appears at the loaded end, thus the whole inter-
face is in the elastic-hardening–softening stage. The load P in- þ sf cos½k4 ðL  a  xÞ ð116Þ
creased as the length of the softening region a increased. sf ½coshðk2 hÞ  b cos½k4 ðL  a  xÞ
Assuming the length of the hardening region is still h. Substituting rp ¼ 
k2 tp sinhðk2 hÞ
the relationship for d < df in (12) into (7), the following is obtained:
sf
 sin½k4 ðL  a  xÞ ð117Þ
2
d d k3 tp
2
 k21 d ¼ 0; ð0 6 d 6 ad1 Þ ð99Þ
dx Substituting the boundary condition (108) into (117), the fol-
2
d d ba lowing is obtained:
2
 k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 < d 6 d1 Þ ð100Þ
dx 1b sf bp ½coshðk2 hÞ  b cosðk4 aÞ sf bp
2 P¼  þ sinðk4 aÞ ð118Þ
d d k2 sinhðk2 hÞ k3
2
þ k24 d ¼ df k24 ; ðd1 < d 6 df Þ ð101Þ
dx The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained
from (115) when x = L,
where k21 is given in (15), k22 is given in (24), and
  ð1  aÞk2 d1 ½coshðk2 hÞ  b sinðk4 aÞ
2Gf sf sf 1 bp D¼   ðdf  d1 Þ
k24 ¼ k2  ¼ þ ð102Þ ð1  bÞk4 sinhðk2 hÞ
s2
f
df  d1 df  d1 Ep tp bc Ec tc
 cosðk4 aÞ þ df ð119Þ
with the boundary and continuous conditions
From the continuous condition (107), the relational expression
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; ð103Þ between the hardening length h and the softening length a is
rp is continuous at x ¼ L  a; ð104Þ obtained.

d ¼ d1 at x ¼ L  a; ð105Þ b 1  b coshðk2 hÞ
tanh½k1 ðL  a  hÞ ¼ ð120Þ
k1 k2 sinhðk2 hÞ
d ¼ ad1 at x ¼ L  a  h; ð106Þ
rp is continuous at x ¼ L  a  h; and ð107Þ Thus, the load–displacement curve could be drawn from (118)–
(120). When this stage either ends or the elastic-hardening–soften-
rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ L ð108Þ ing-debonding stage begins as D = df in (119), the following is
Based on the boundary conditions (103) and (106), the solution obtained:
of Eq. (99) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of
ð1  aÞk2 d1 ½coshðk2 hÞ  b tanðk4 aÞ
the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be   ðdf  d1 Þ ¼ 0 ð121Þ
written in the form ð1  bÞk4 sinhðk2 hÞ
 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792 3787

4.1.3. Elastic-hardening–softening-debonding stage df  d1

d ¼ df  sin½k4 ða þ h  xÞ ð133Þ
At this stage, debondings (or macro-cracks or breaks) appear sinðk4 aÞ
and extend along the interface. When D > df, the bond length keeps sf
s¼ sin½k4 ða þ h  xÞ ð134Þ
decreasing as the cracks extend. When crack extending occurs, the sinðk4 aÞ
FRP-concrete interface is in the elastic-hardening–softening-deb- sf cos½k4 ða þ h  xÞ
onding stage, and the shear stress peak sf moves towards the free rp ¼  ð135Þ
t p k4 sinðk4 aÞ
end of the lap joint. Assuming that the debonding length of the
loaded end was d, substituting L as L-d, equations (109)–(118), From the boundary condition (129), the following is obtained:
(120) and (121) were still correct. sf b p
When d > df, displacement of the loaded end could be obtained P¼ ð136Þ
k4 sinðk4 aÞ
from solving (7), or simply gained by stacking all the displace-
ments of the lap joint, the relationship between load and displace- And the load–displacement relationship could be obtained by
ment is superposition:
 
P P Pdk2
D ¼ df þ þ d D ¼ df þ ½ð1  a þ bÞd1 þ df  ð137Þ
Ep t p bp Ec t c bc sf bp
Pdk2 Substituting (132) and (135) into the continuous condition
¼ df þ ½ð1  a þ bÞd1 þ df  ð122Þ
sf b p (128), the relationship of the hardening area length h and the soft-
ening area length a could be obtained as:
The elastic-hardening–softening-debonding stage can only ap-
pear when the free end is still in an elastic state before debonding 1 1
tanhðk2 hÞ ¼ cotðk4 aÞ ð138Þ
begins at the loaded end. Considering a critical situation, hardening k2 k4
appears at the free end while debonding begins at the loaded end.
At the end of this stage, or the beginning of the softening-deb-
Therefore, L = a + h and h = h0 is obtained from equation (120),
onding stage, as h = 0, that is
which is the same as Eq. (37). Substitutiong this value of h into
(121) yields a0 as expressed in (98). p
a ¼ au ¼ ð139Þ
It is possible to claim that, only when the bond length 2k4
L > L0 = h0+a0, the above interfacial shear stress distribution is com- This is the minimum bond length for the softening-debonding
pletely correct and all the stages of the debonding process will ap- stage to appear.
pear stage by stage.
4.1.5. Softening-debonding stage
4.1.4. Hardening–softening-debonding stage When x = 0, as the interface slip reaches d1, the FRP-concrete
When the interface slip reaches ad1 at x = 0, the FRP-concrete interface is in the softening-debonding stage, the equation at this
interface is in the hardening–softening -debonding stage, the equa- stage is:
tion at this stage is:
2
d d
2
d d ba 2
þ k24 d ¼ df k24 ; ðd1 6 d 6 df Þ ð140Þ
2
 k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 6 d 6 d1 Þ ð123Þ dx
dx 1b
2 where k24 is given in (102).
d d
2
þ k24 d ¼ df k24 ; ðd1 < d 6 df Þ ð124Þ The boundary conditions are:
dx
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0 ð141Þ
where k22 is given in (24), and k24 is given in (102).
The boundary and continuous conditions are
rp ¼ P=tp bp at x ¼ a ¼ L  d; ð142Þ
d ¼ df ; at x ¼ a ¼ L  d; ð143Þ
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0 ð125Þ
Based on the boundary conditions (141) and (142), the solution
d ¼ d1 at x ¼ h ¼ L  a  d; ð126Þ of Eq. (140) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of
d ¼ df ; at x ¼ a þ h ¼ L  d; ð127Þ the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be
rp is continuous at x ¼ h ¼ L  a  d ð128Þ written in the form:
rp ¼ P=tp bp at x ¼ a þ h ¼ L  d ð129Þ Pk4 ðdf  d1 Þ cosðk4 xÞ
d ¼ df   ð144Þ
sf bp sinðk4 aÞ
Based on the boundary conditions (125) and (126), the solution Pk4 cosðk4 xÞ
of Eq. (123) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of s¼  ð145Þ
bp sinðk4 aÞ
the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be
P sinðk4 xÞ
written in the form: rp ¼  ð146Þ
t p bp sinðk4 aÞ
ð1  aÞd1 coshðk2 xÞ ðb  aÞd1
d¼   ð130Þ Eq. (139) could also be obtained from the boundary condition
1b coshðk2 hÞ 1b (143), that is, the softening area length is constant au during the
sf coshðk2 xÞ whole softening-debonding stage. The load–displacement relation-
s¼ ð131Þ ship is
coshðk2 hÞ
Pk2 ðL  au Þ
sf sinhðk2 xÞ D ¼ df þ ½ð1  a þ bÞd1 þ df  ð147Þ
rp ¼  ð132Þ sf bp
t p k2 coshðk2 hÞ
In addition, based on the boundary conditions (126) and (127), 4.2. Short bond length L < h0
the solution of Eq. (124) for the relative shear displacement, the
shear stress of the adhesive layer and the normal stress of laminate If the bond length L is shorter than h0, as the slip at x = 0 attains
can be written in the form: to ad1, the slip at x = L is still less than d1. The failure process would
3788 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792

only experience an elastic stage, an elastic-hardening stage, a hard- ð1  aÞk2 d1

D ¼ df  ðdf  d1 Þ cosðk4 aÞ þ
ening stage, a hardening–softening stage, a softening stage. ð1  bÞk4
tanh½k2 ðL  aÞ sinðk4 aÞ ð161Þ
4.2.1. Elastic stage, elastic-hardening stage, hardening stage
The elastic and elastic-hardening stages are the same as the cor- Thus, the load–displacement curve could be drawn from (160)
responding stages in 3.1, and the hardening stage is the same as and (161). A critical bond length can be obtained when the inter-
the corresponding stage in 3.2, thus the expressions of the inter- face slip reaches df at x = L and L = a, which gives L = au.
face slip, the interface shear stress, the normal stress of the lami-
nate, and the relationship of the load–displacement are also the 4.2.3. Softening stage
same. Only the hardening–softening and softening stages need to When the interface slip reaches d1 at x = 0, the whole interface
be discussed further. only has a softening region. The governing differential equation
in this stage is:
4.2.2. Hardening–softening stage 2
d d
When the interface slip reaches d1 at x = L, the whole interface 2
þ k24 d ¼ df k24 ; ðd1 6 d 6 df Þ ð162Þ
has both hardening and softening regions. The governing differen- dx
tial equations in this stage are: where k24 is given in (102), and with the boundary condition
2
d d ba rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; and ð163Þ
2
 k22 d ¼ d1 k22 ; ðad1 6 d 6 d1 Þ ð148Þ rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ a ¼ L ð164Þ
dx 1b
2
d d Based on the boundary conditions (163) and (164), the solution
2
þ k24 d ¼ df k24 ; ðd1 < d 6 df Þ ð149Þ of Eq. (162) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of
dx
the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be
where k22 is given in (24), k24 is given in (102), and with the boundary written in the form:
and continuous conditions Pðdf  d1 Þk4
d ¼ df  cosðk4 xÞ ð165Þ
rp ¼ 0 at x ¼ 0; ð150Þ bp sf sinðk4 LÞ
rp is continus at x ¼ h ¼ L  a; ð151Þ Pk4
s¼ cosðk4 xÞ ð166Þ
bp sinðk4 LÞ
d ¼ d1 at x ¼ h ¼ L  a; and ð152Þ
P sinðk4 xÞ
rp ¼ ð167Þ
rp ¼ P=ðbp tp Þ at x ¼ L ð153Þ tp bp sinðk4 LÞ
Based on the boundary conditions (150) and (152), the solution The load P at the beginning of this stage could be obtained from
of Eq. (148) for the relative shear displacement, the shear stress of the boundary condition djx = 0 = d1, as follows,
the adhesive layer and the normal stress of the laminate can be
sf b p
written in the form: P¼ sinðk4 LÞ ð168Þ
k4
ð1  aÞd1 coshðk2 xÞ ba
d¼  d1 ð154Þ The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained
ð1  bÞ cosh½k2 ðL  aÞ 1  b
from (165) when x = L
s coshðk2 xÞ
s¼ f ð155Þ Pðdf  d1 Þk4
cosh½k2 ðL  aÞ D ¼ df  ð169Þ
sf sinhðk2 xÞ bp sf tanðk4 LÞ
rp ¼ ð156Þ
k2 t p cosh½k2 ðL  aÞ
Based on the continuous condition (151) and boundary condi- 4.3. Bond length h0 < L < au
tion (152), the solution of Eq. (149) for the relative shear displace-
ment, the shear stress of the adhesive layer and the normal stress If the bond length L is shorter than au and longer than h0, the
of laminate can be written in the form: failure process would experience an elastic stage, an elastic-hard-
ening stage, an elastic-hardening–softening stage, a hardening–
d ¼ df  ðdf  d1 Þ cos½k4 ðL  a  xÞ
softening stage, as well as a softening stage.
ð1  aÞk2 d1 All the aforementioned stages are discussed in the previous sec-
 tanh½k2 ðL  aÞ sin½k4 ðL  a  xÞ ð157Þ
ð1  bÞk4 tions and the closed-form solutions are obtained, thus the expres-
ð1  aÞk2 d1 sf sions of the interface slip, the interface shear stress, the normal
s ¼ sf cos½k4 ðL  a  xÞ þ stress of the laminate, and the relationship of the load–displace-
ð1  bÞðdf  d1 Þk4
tanh½k2 ðL  aÞ sin½k4 ðL  a  xÞ ð158Þ ment are also the same.
sf
rp ¼  sin½k4 ðL  a  xÞ 4.4. Bond length au < L < l0
t p k4
sf
þ tanh½k2 ðL  aÞ cos½k4 ðL  a  xÞ ð159Þ If the bond length L is longer than au and shorter than l0, the fail-
t p k2
ure process would experience an elastic stage, an elastic-hardening
Substituting the boundary condition (153) into (159) yields stage, an elastic-hardening–softening stage, a hardening–softening
stage, a hardening–softening-debonding stage, and a softening-
b p sf bp sf
P¼ sinðk4 aÞ þ tanh½k2 ðL  aÞ cosðk4 aÞ ð160Þ debonding stage.
k4 k2 All the stages above are discussed in the previous sections and
The expression of the slip at the loaded end could be obtained the closed-form solutions are obtained, thus the expressions of the
from (157) when x = L interface slip, the interface shear stress, the normal stress of the
 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792 3789

laminate, and the relationship of the load–displacement are the 15

same. C
D
12

5. Numerical simulations 9 B

P (kN)
The material properties and geometry parameters in the 6
A
numerical analysis are selected as follows: tp = 1.4 mm,
3
bp = 30 mm, tc = 200 mm, bc = 200 mm, Ep = 152.2 Gpa, Ec = 32.5 G- E
pa. And the interfacial characteristic parameters are selected as 0
O
a = 0.5, b = 0.7, k = 0.8 N/mm, d1 = 0.07 mm, sf = 5.6 Mpa. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
It could be obtained that df = 0.3557 mm, h0 = 59.5 m, Δ (mm)
a0 = 118.9 mm, au = 163.4 mm, l0 = h0 + a0 = 178.4 mm. According (a) L=100mm
to the above analysis, the failure process for different bond lengths
could be discussed. 8 D
C
5.1. Load–displacement curves 6 B

P (kN)
5.1.1. Load–displacement curves of the exponential model 4 A
When the bond length L > h0, take L = 100 mm, the load–dis-
placement curve is shown in Fig. 5(a). OA is the elastic stage, AB 2
is the elastic-hardening stage, BC is the elastic-hardening–soften- E
ing stage, CD is the hardening–softening stage, and DE is the soft- 0
O
ening stage. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
When the bond length L < h0, take L = 50 mm, the load–displace- Δ (mm)
ment curve of this situation is shown in Fig. 5b. OA is the elastic (b) L=50mm
stage, AB is the elastic-hardening stage, BC is the hardening stage, Fig. 5. Load–displacement curves.
CD is the hardening–softening stage, and DE is the softening stage.
When the bond length au < L < l0, take L = 170 mm, the load–
5.1.2. Load–displacement curves of the tri-linear model displacement curve is shown in Fig. 6b. OA is the elastic stage,
When bond length L > l0, take L = 200 mm, the load–displace- AB is the elastic-hardening stage, BC is the elastic-hardening–soft-
ment curve is shown in Fig. 6a. OA is the elastic stage, AB is the ening stage, CD is the hardening–softening stage, DE is the harden-
elastic-hardening stage, BC is the elastic-hardening–softening ing–softening-debonding stage, and EF is the softening-debonding
stage, CD is the elastic-hardening–softening-debonding stage, DE stage.
is the hardening–softening-debonding stage, and EF is the soften- When the bond length h0 < L < au, take L = 100 mm, the load–
ing-debonding stage. displacement curve is shown in Fig. 6c. OA is the elastic stage, AB

C 20 C D
20 D
E E
15 15
P (kN)

P (kN)

10 10 B
B

5 A 5 A

0 O
F F
0 O
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Δ (mm) Δ (mm)
(a) L=200mm (b) L=170mm
16 9
C D D

12 C
6
B
P (kN)

B
P (kN)

8
A
A 3
4

O E E
0 0 O
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Δ (mm) Δ (mm)
(c) L=100mm (d) L=50mm
Fig. 6. Load–displacement curves.
3790 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792

20 20

15 15
L=20mm

P (kN)
P (kN)

L=50mm L=20mm
10 L=100mm 10 L=50mm
L=170mm L=100mm
5 L=200mm L=170mm
5
L=250mm L=200mm
L=250mm
0 0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
Δ (mm) Δ (mm)

Fig. 7. Load–displacement curves of the exponential model for the different bond Fig. 8. The load–displacement curves of the tri-linear model for different bond
lengths. lengths.

exponential model tri-linear model

4
8
3
6
P (kN)

P (kN)

2
4

1 2

0 0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Δ (mm) Δ (mm)
(a) L=20mm (b) L=50mm

15 20

12
15
P (kN)
P (kN)

9
10
6
5
3

0 0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Δ (mm) Δ (mm)
(c) L=100mm (d) L=170mm

20 20

15 15
P (kN)

P (kN)

10 10

5 5

0 0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Δ (mm) Δ (mm)
(e) L=200mm (f) L=250mm
Fig. 9. Comparison of the load–displacement curves of the two models for different bond lengths.
 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792 3791

is the elastic-hardening stage, BC is the elastic-hardening–soften- Eptp=140kN/mm

ing stage, CD is the hardening–softening stage, and DE is the soft- 25 Eptp=213.08kN/mm
ening stage.
Eptp=280kN/mm
When the bond length L < h0, take L = 50 mm, the load–displace- 20
ment curve is shown in Fig. 6d. OA is the elastic stage, AB is the

P (kN)
elastic-hardening stage, BC is the hardening stage, CD is the hard- 15
ening–softening stage, and DE is the softening stage.
10
5.2. Parametric study
5
Fig. 7 shows the influence for different bond lengths of the
0
exponential model on the load–displacement curves. From the fig- 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
ure, the significant influence for the bond lengths on the curves Δ (mm)
could be observed. As the bond length increased, not only would
Fig. 11. The load–displacement curves of the tri-linear model for different FRP
the interface failure processes change, but so would the ultimate
stiffness.
load and interface slip. Specifically, the increase of the bond length
can increase damage ductility. However, when the bond length
reaches a certain length (effective bond length), the ultimate load
would hardly change.
Fig. 8 shows the influence for different bond lengths of the tri- 20
linear model on the load–displacement curves. From the figure, the
significant influence for bond lengths on the curves could also be 15
observed. In the range of the effective bond length, as the bond

length increased, not only would the interface failure processes
change, but so would the ultimate load and interface slip. Namely,
the increase of the bond length can increase damage ductility.
Fig. 9 shows the comparison of the load–displacement curves
between the exponential model and the tri-linear model for the
different bond lengths. From the figure, the load would increase
faster in the tri-linear model as the bond length increases. The
load–displacement curves would be different when a softening
area exists. In addition, since there is no debonding situation in
the exponential model, the displacement would increase unlimit-
edly, with this being different from the tri-linear model in which
the slip would approach df.
Fig. 10 shows the load–displacement curves of the exponential
model for different FRP stiffnesses. From the figure, the significant
influence for FRP stiffness to the curves could be observed. As the
stiffness increases, the ultimate load increases. However, the slip
would decrease, namely the ductility reduced.
Fig. 11 shows the load–displacement curves of the tri-linear
model for different FRP stiffnesses. From the figure, the significant
influence for FRP stiffness on the curves could also be observed. As
the stiffness increases, the ultimate load increases. However the
slip would decrease, namely the ductility reduced.
Through the numerical computation, the ultimate load of expo-
nential and tri-linear models for different bond lengths could be
obtained. Fig. 12 shows the ultimate load for different bond
Eptp=140kN/mm
25
Eptp=213.08kN/mm
Eptp=280kN/mm
20
15
P (kN)
Pu (kN)
exponential model
10 tri-linear model
5
0
0 100 200 300 400 500
L (mm)
Fig. 12. The ultimate load for different bond lengths.
lengths. From the figure, in the tri-linear model, when the bond
length is smaller, the ultimate load increased significantly with
the bond length. When the bond length is greater, the ultimate
load stayed essentially unchanged. In the exponential model, when
the bond length is smaller, the trend is similar to the tri-linear
model, but its ultimate load is relatively smaller. Both models have
the same ultimate load when the bond length is relatively large.
6. Conclusions
The FRP-concrete interface debonding process and mechanical
behavior are the key issues of FRP-concrete reinforced technology.
A study of the FRP-concrete interface debonding process and the
mechanical behavior was carried out, with it being based on the
latest experimental results on FRP-concrete interfaces with bond-
slip laws which contain an exponential softening and a linear hard-
ening constitutive relations. Through nonlinear fracture mechan-
ics, the analytical expressions of the interfacial shear stress, the
axial normal stress in FRP and the load–displacement relationship
at the loaded end of the FRP-to-concrete interface with single shear
test model could be obtained. Thus, the shear stress propagation
and debonding process of the whole interface for different bond

lengths could be predicted. Through the analytical solutions of

10 the two bond-slip laws, the influences of different FRP bond
lengths and stiffness on the load–displacement curve, and the ulti-
5 mate load were studied. The stress transfer mechanism, the inter-
face crack propagation and the ductility behavior of the joint could
0 be explained. In addition, the similarities and differences between
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
the two bond-slip laws were also studied. On the basis of fully
Δ (mm)
understanding the FRP-concrete interfacial mechanical behavior,
Fig. 10. Load–displacement curves of the exponential model for different FRP the full-range behavioral characteristics and the crucial factors of
stiffnesses. the FRP-concrete interfacial debonding problem can be understood
3792 H. Yuan et al. / Composite Structures 94 (2012) 3781–3792
in greater detail, with it providing a reliable theoretical basis for
concrete FRP strengthening technology.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support pro-
vided by the Natural Science Foundation of China (National Key
Project No.11032005).
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