Author

L. LA MENDOLA (1), C. CUCCHIARA (2) and M. ACCARDI (3)

(1) FullProfessor, Department of Structural Aerospace and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy, email: lidia.lamendola@unipa.it

(2) Researcher, Department of Structural Aerospace and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy, email: c.cucchiara@unipa.it

(3) Ph.D Researcher in Structural Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy, email: accardi@abgroupweb.it

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental study investigating the interface behaviour between calcarenite stone and Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) reinforcement. The analysis of the results has allowed one to deduce that the local behaviour at the interface, can be modelled by means of a bi-linear shear stress-slip law, according to several codes. The experimental investigation was carried out on specimens subjected to double shear pulling tests by varying the bond length of the CRFP strips. Tests enabled determination of the bond strength of the joint and the effective bond length. The parameters of the stress-slip law were calibrated using experimental results in order to carry out a numerical investigation using finite element software including an interface element modelling interlaminar failure, and crack initiation and propagation. Moreover, an experimental correlation between the compressive cube strength and fracture energy is proposed in order to provide a tool for practical applications.