In this paper, a new analytical method for defining the nonlinear bond stress-slip models of Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) sheet-concrete interfaces through pullout bond test is proposed. With this method, it is not necessary to attach many strain gages on the FRP sheets for obtaining the strain distributions in FRP as well as the local bond stresses and slips. Instead, the local interfacial bond stress-slip models can be simply derived from the relationships between the pullout forces and loaded end slips. Based on a series of pullout tests, the bond stress-slip models of FRP sheet-concrete interfaces, in which different FRP stiffness, FRP materials (Carbon FRP, Aramid FRP, Glass FRP), and adhesives are used, have been derived. Only two parameters, the interfacial fracture energy and interfacial ductility index, which can take into account the effects of all interfacial components, are necessary in these models. Comparisons between analytical results and experimental ones show good accordance, indicating the reliability of the proposed method and the proposed bond stress-slip models.

We introduce Form 4.2, a new minor release of the symbolic manipulation toolkit. We demonstrate several new features, such as a new pattern matching option, new output optimization, and automatic expansion of rational functions.

Concrete is a heterogeneous material consisting of mortar and aggregate at the meso level. Evaluation of the fracture process at this level is useful to clarify the material characteristic of concrete. However, the analytical approach at this level has not yet been sufficiently investigated. In this study, two-dimensional analyses of mortar and concrete are carried out using the Rigid Body Spring Model (RBSM). For the simulation of concrete, constitutive model at the meso scale are developed. Analysis simulates well the failure behavior and the compressive and tensile strength relationship of mortar and concrete under uniaxial and biaxial stress conditions. Localized compressive failure of concrete is also simulated qualitatively.

The pullout test is a conventional test method for calibrating interfacial shear bond characteristics of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)-concrete interfaces. However, due to the small bending stiffness of FRP sheets/strips and the highly non-linear interface fracturing mechanism, a well-recognized analytical approach to the accurate interpretation of the pullout test results remains to be achieved despite extensive studies particularly when the aim is to calibrate a local bond stress-slip model, which is necessary for developing bond strength and anchorage length models avoiding the use of empirical formulations. This paper introduces a newly developed non-linear bond stress-slip model for analyzing full-range strain distributions in FRP and shear bond stress distributions in the interface bond layer during pullout tests, along with a new anchorage length model and bond strength model that were developed accordingly. Compared with other existing bond models, the bond model described here has two advantages besides its simplicity: (1) it incorporates the most important interface parameter, the so-called interfacial fracture energy, in all analytical processes and links it successfully with all other important bond parameters; (2) it is a general and unified approach that allows for the first time consideration of the effects of the adhesive bond layer in non-linear analysis of FRP-concrete interfaces. Further, a unified bond stress versus slip expression is formulated to show the differences in local bond stress-slip relationships at the loaded and free ends in pullout tests, so that the effects of the bond length used in a pullout test on the calibration of the interfacial bond stress-slip model can be clarified. The reliability of all proposed models is verified through a comprehensive comparison of the experimental and analytical results.

This study investigates the dependence of the mechanical behavior of concrete, such as strength, stiffness, and deformation capacity on the damage caused by freezing and thawing cycles (FTC). A stress-strain model for concrete damaged by freezing and thawing prior to the application of mechanical loading was proposed based on plasticity and fracture of concrete elements. The FTC fracture parameter was introduced to explain the degradation in initial stiffness of concrete resulting from freezing and thawing damage. Based on experimental data, the FTC fracture parameter was empirically formulated as a function of plastic tensile strain caused by freezing and thawing with the assumption that the plastic strain was caused by the combined effects of FTC and mechanical loading damage. The stress-strain relationships obtained by the proposed model were compared with the experimental data.