Finite element and experimental investigation into patch anchor sizes used to enhance the bond performance of FRP-to-concrete joints

The increasing demand to strengthen existing infrastructure has resulted in growing popularity of advanced fiber composite materials (FRPs) applied to reinforced concrete (RC) members as externally bonded reinforcement. Although FRPs contain very high tensile strengths, premature debonding usually prevents the material from reaching its full potential. Research is currently underway to address this shortcoming by the provision of anchorages to the ends of FRP reinforcement. Bi-directional fiber patch anchors have been found to be one of the most effective anchorages available, which are particularly suitable in shear strengthening applications. The ongoing need for verification of the various influencing parameters such as anchor size, spacing and fiber thickness have inspired further numerical and experimental studies resulting in the present work. The paper will investigate the effect of such parameters highlighting key relationships that may be applied for future use in anchorage strength models