A Coupled Hygrothermal Cohesive-Layer Constitutive Model for Simulating Debond Growth

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to model the synergistic bond degradation mechanisms that may occur at the interface between a Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and concrete. For this purpose, a two-dimensional cohesive layer constitutive model with a prescribed traction-separation law is constructed from basic principles of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics, taking into account non-Fickian hygrothermal effects that are likely to occur within the cohesive layer. The model is implemented in a test-bed finite element code (NOVA-3D). Benchmark comparisons of finite element predictions with analytical results for a double cantilever beam specimen for model verification are performed. Results from demonstration cases involving bond degradation are also presented.