Predicting the Flexural Response of a Reinforced Concrete Beam Using the Fracture-Plastic Model

Abstract

This paper describes an attempt to predict the flexural response of a reinforced concrete (RC) beam using nonlinear finite element analysis. To facilitate direct comparison, the beam was tested experimentally under four-point bending with the load increased monotonically. The load-deflection response, crack pattern and failure mode were observed in the experiment. Analysis incorporating the application of ATENA 3D was performed using the fracture-plastic model which is based on the classical orthotropic smeared crack formulation and crack band model. The applicability of this model was demonstrated through detailed simulation of RC beam with identical geometry, reinforcement arrangement, and material properties. From this study, it is found that the overall predicted responses are in very good agreement to those obtained from the experiment. It is also found that the feature in ATENA enables the presentation of reasonably maximum principal strains of concrete and rebar elements which can, therefore, be associated with the predicted crack bands.

Application of Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis on Shear-Critical Reinforced Concrete Beams

“…In this software package, various nonlinear behaviors of reinforced concrete can be dealt with, including concrete cracking, reinforcement yielding, bonding between the concrete and the reinforcement, and concrete crushing under varying levels of confinement. Recent applications include simple flexural analysis [30], shear and punching failure analysis [31][32][33], beam-column joints under reversed cyclic loading [34], and durability assessment [35].…”

Finite Element Modelling of Laboratory Tests on Reinforced Concrete Beams Containing Recycled Aggregate Concrete

“…The software is programmed in such a way that only finite dimensions can create the support and load contacts. Therefore, in some studies [13,14] steel plates (finite dimensions) in place of steel rollers were considered to define and simulate the support condition (as no alternative left to simulate rollers) even though the companion laboratory tests on RCC beams consist of steel rollers. Besides this, the input parameters assigned prior to simulation of structural components or structure as a whole plays very crucial role especially when alternate materials for concrete ingredients are to be used aiming sustainable development [15,16].…”