Development of an objective model to predict shear capacity of FRP U-wrap anchors

Abstract There are only few experimental studies available in literature that focus on the effect of distributed U-wraps as anchoring system to secure FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Thus, this paper is intended to present a rational design model that is developed based on simple mechanics of materials to compute the shear capacity of a group of U-wrap anchors used to secure FRP strengthening sheets/plates in beams. This model can be used, by structural engineers, as a practical tool to calculate the number of distributed U-wraps needed to reach a certain debonding strain improvement. The results of pull-out tests and full-scale experimental programs from the literature on anchored FRP-strengthened RC beams were used to calibrate and validate the proposed approach. Prediction results generated by the present model show promising correlation with experimental findings.