Prediction of premature separation of bonded CFRP plates from strengthened steel beams using a fracture criterion

This paper presents a method for predicting premature separation of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) plates from strengthened steel beams. The fracture criterion based on material-induced singularity is formulated in terms of a singular intensity factor. Static test on double strap joints was selected to provide the critical stress intensity factor in the criterion because good degree of accuracy and consistency of experimental data can be expected compared with the unsymmetrically loaded single lap joints. The debond/separation loads of steel beams with different CFRP lengths were measured and compared with those predicted from the criterion. Good agreement between the test results and the prediction was found.