An accurate local bond-slip model is of fundamental importance in the modelling of FRP-strengthened RC structures. In this paper, a review of existing bond strength models and bond-slip models is first presented. These models are then assessed using the results of 253 pull tests on simple FRP-to-concrete bonded joints, leading to the conclusion that a more accurate model is required. In the second half of the paper, a set of three new bond-slip models of different levels of sophistication is proposed. A unique feature of the present work is that the new bond-slip models are not based on axial strain measurements on the FRP plate; instead, they are based on the predictions of a meso-scale finite element model, with appropriate adjustment to match their predictions with the experimental results for a few key parameters. Through comparisons with the large test database, all three bond-slip models are shown to provide accurate predictions of both the bond strength (i.e. ultimate load) and the strain distribution in the FRP plate.

The behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) structures strengthened with externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement in the forms of thin plates or sheets is often dominated by debonding of the FRP reinforcement from concrete. As a result, a large number of studies have addressed debonding failures in FRP-strengthened RC structures, with many of them being focussed on understanding the behaviour of simple FRP-to-concrete bonded joints in which an FRP plate/sheet is bonded to a concrete prism and is subject to a tensile force. Despite the many existing studies, there are still substantial uncertainties and difficulties with the finite element modelling of debonding failures due to the complex behaviour of cracked concrete. This paper explores the use of different crack models in modelling and compares their predictions of the debonding behaviour of FRP-to-concrete bonded joints. The results presented in this study show that a non-coaxial rotating angle crack model (RACM) is required to accurately predict this debonding behaviour. Furthermore, the debonding mechanism is also examined using results obtained with a nonco-axial RACM.

A crack model for the fracture in concrete based on meshless method is proposed in this paper. The cracks in concrete are classified into micro-cracks or macro-cracks respectively according to their widths, and different numerical approaches are adopted for them. The micro-cracks are represented with smeared crack approach whilst the macro-cracks are represented with discrete cracks that are made up with additional nodes and boundaries. The widely used meshless method, Element-free Galerkin method, is adopted instead of finite element method to model the concrete, so that the discrete crack approach is easier to be implemented with the convenience of arranging node distribution in the meshless method. Rotating-Crack-Model is proved to be preferred over Fixed-Crack-Model for the smeared cracks of this composite crack model due to its better performance on mesh bias. Numerical examples show that this composite crack model can take advantage of the positive characteristics in the smeared and discrete approaches, and overcome some of their disadvantages.