Finite-element modelling of concrete prisms reinforced with composites plates—Theory of cracking

This article concerns the repair and reinforcement of sewage structures using composite plates. Tests were performed to characterise the interface, using prisms reinforced with pultruded carbon fibre-based plates in different environments (normal, water-saturated, submerged). The prisms were then subjected to four-point bending to study the behaviour of the concrete/adhesive/composite interface and to obtain the intrinsic properties of the materials. A finite-element analysis was performed to reproduce the behaviour of the reinforced prisms. The results of these numerical calculations were then compared with the experimental tests.