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This paper investigates the effect of KFRP composite sheets as a strengthening material in improving the load-carrying resistance of lightweight foam concrete beams using a FEA modelling framework. The study employed three parametric strengthening schemes (i.e., KFRP length, woven architecture types and KFRP thickness). Twenty-seven beam specimens were tested, and respective failure modes and ultimate load at failure were discussed. All the strengthened beam specimens failed mostly in shear mode and, to a lesser extent, in FRP fracture. Despite the absence of de-bonding failure, improvement of strengthening using KFRP sheet technique was exhibited. Later, Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) Modelling was incorporated following failure mode exhibited. Strength predictions incorporating the traction-separation relationship using XFEM techniques. Validation work with experimental datasets showed good agreements with average discrepancies of less than 10%. The numerical approach can be used as a strength prediction tool in concrete beams with externally bonded FRPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current project is to carry out the FEA framework for predicting the flexural strength of notched foam concrete tested under three-point bending following the conducted experimental set-up. The investigated testing series have a variation of notch size opening in the foamed concrete beam. The Tractionseparation relationship was used as a constitutive model to incorporate independent material properties and used in the modelling framework. Modelling techniques of 2D XFEM and CZM were adopted and later expanded to 3D XFEM models. Good agreement was found between the predicted structure response and experimental observation for all the investigated models. Crack was initiated at the crack tip and propagated to the beam edge under the applied load. It was found that the average discrepancies below 20% were found within XFEM techniques. Less agreement was found using the CZM models, partly due to the simplification of the adopted failure path. The modelling framework implemented in this project is potentially used as a predictive tool in estimating the flexural strength of the concrete beam with notches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper aimed to model failures and fractures in single-lap bolted joints of woven fabric kenaf fiber reinforced polymer (KFRP) composite plate to fail in net-tension. The approach was based on the assumptions that micro-damage events were densely concentrated ahead of the notch tip and crack growth were readily seen along net-tension plane in a self-similar fashion. A 3-D finite element modelling framework were developed to explicitly incorporate bolt clamp-up in a range of KFRP series following tested experimental datasets. Lay-up types, normalized W/d, temperature exposure with constant bolt torque of 5 Nm were considered. It was found that KFRP plates under elevated temperature were stronger than under room temperature due to matrix toughening. Traction-separation relationship was incorported within Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) framework to model damage within KFRP composite plate by using independent experimental datasets, here incorporates un-notched plate strength, so and fracture toughness, Gc of all testing lay-ups. Constitutive model used is associated with stress concentration, therefore good agreement between predicted and experimental bearing stress at failure with net-tension failure mode is perhaps not suprising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]