A master’s thesis in the College of Engineering at the University of Basrah examined (Nonlinear analysis by finite element method of the structural behavior of aperture concrete slabs reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets) by the student Israa Jassem Muhammad

The thesis dealt with clarifying the effect of openings and reinforcement with carbon fiber polymeric tapes (CFRP) on the behavior and performance of reinforced concrete in two directions. The practical side included twenty models of reinforced concrete slabs with dimensions (800,800) mm and depth (70) mm. The slabs were evaluated under the influence of regularly distributed loads. With simple support along its four edges, normal strength concrete was used in pouring the slabs. Concrete slabs containing one eccentric and central opening (with different dimensions) as well as multiple slots reinforced with CFRP tapes were studied, in addition to studying the behavior of unreinforced slabs and slab without these slots. The slabs were arranged in eight groups, and four shapes of CERP strips were taken into account. All tiles were designed with the same dimensions and were reinforced in a way that ensured their failure to bend. The presence of holes in the unreinforced models led to a decrease in the final bearing capacity by (3.9%-35.9%) compared to the slab. without holes

The results of the examination showed that the use of (CFRP) depends on the form of reinforcement, which leads to an improvement in the crack load by (77%-6%) and (40.8%-2%) in the final load compared to the slab with the opening and not being reinforced.

For the theoretical study, three-dimensional finite element analysis and nonlinear analysis were used to examine the structural behavior of reinforced concrete slabs reinforced with polymeric carbon fiber tapes. Full adhesion was assumed.