Experimental analytical and theoretical investigations of CFRP strengthened thin-walled steel plates under shear loads

摘要

In this study, the strengthening effects of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) on the shear strength of thin walled steel plates (TSPs) were investigated using experiments and finite element analysis (FEA). Two types of CFRP with different fiber orientations-0 degrees/90 degrees, and +/- 45 degrees-were used for strengthening. The experimental and FEA results indicate that CFRP could effectively increase the shear strength of TSPs under shear loading. The theoretical equations according to the lamination theory of composite materials are proposed to calculate the shear strength of CFRP-strengthened TSPs under shear load with high accuracy compared with experimental and FEA results.