Effect of CFRP strengthening properties with anchoring systems on P-I diagrams of RC panels under blast loads

Abstract

Several experimental studies had been carried out on using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) to repair and strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) panels under blast and impact loads. However, the information related to the capacity increment of RC panels with the FRP strengthening measures is not widely given. This study aims to investigate the dynamic response characteristics and lateral load carrying capacity of one-and two-way RC panels strengthened with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) by using LS-DYNA software. The accuracy of the numerical model is verified with the available testing data. The calibrated numerical model is utilised to conduct a series of simulations to investigate the effect of CFRP strength, CFRP thickness and bond strength on the RC panel resistance with and without anchoring against blast loads. The numerical outcomes are used to develop pressure-impulse (P-I) diagrams that divided into three damage levels defined according to the UFC-3-340-02 specifications. Furthermore, empirical equations are proposed to easily construct the P-I diagrams that provide a quick damage assessment for CFRP strengthened panels.