Long-term bond stresses and debonding failure of FRP-strengthened RC cracked members

Most of the existing models to prevent debonding failure in beams externally strengthened by fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates were developed focusing on the short term response. This paper studies the effect of concrete creep on the interfacial shear stresses and consequently, on the debonding failure load. A simplified formulation for the instantaneous and time-dependent bond stresses under sustained load is provided. Its reliability is analysed through the results obtained by a non-linear time-dependent analysis model. Previously, this model has been checked to evaluate the long-term response of existing experimental programmes in terms of deflections and strains.