A new model for predicting the shear strength of RC beams strengthened with externally bonded FRP sheets

Abstract

Externally bonded fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcements have been widely used for upgrading the shear resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This technique has been widely studied and numerous analytical models currently exist to predict the contribution of FRP for the shear resistance of RC beams. In this study, some of the most well-known models recommended in guidelines (including fib bulletin 90, CNR-DT 200 R1/2013, and ACI 440.2R-17) are selected, and their predictive performance are assessed using a large database of 344 beams compiled from published works. In addition, this study introduces a novel model that accounts for a missing influential predictive component in the existing models, namely the ratio of existing steel stirrups. The comparison of the results obtained with this model and those from the current models demonstrates the best predictive performance of the new one.