Abstract
This paper presents detailed numerical modeling of externally prestressed concrete (EPC) beams with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebars. Particular attention is paid to the bond-slip interactions between FRP rebars and concrete. A refined 3D finite element model (FEM) incorporating a script describing the bond-slip of FRP rebars and concrete is developed in ABAQUS. The model effectiveness, rooted in the interface behavior between FRP rebars and concrete, is comprehensively assessed using experimental data. A comprehensive investigation has been conducted using FEM on the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendon-EPC beams with FRP rebars. Due to the bond-slip effect, FRP rebars in EPC beams exhibit a distinct phenomenon of stress degradation. This suggests that the traditional method based on plane cross-sectional assumptions is no longer suitable for the engineering design of EPC beams with FRP rebars. Moreover, the study assesses several models including typical design codes for their accuracy in predicting the elevation of ultimate stress in external tendons. It is demonstrated that some of the design codes are overly conservative when estimating the tendon stress in EPC beams with FRP rebars.