Nonlinear FE analysis of R/C structures under monotonic loads

Abstract

This paper deals with the finite element analysis of the monotonic behavior of reinforced concrete (R/C) beams and beam-column subassemblages. It is assumed that the behavior of these members can be described by a plane stress field. Concrete and reinforcing bars are represented by separate material models which are combined together with a model of the interaction between reinforcing bar and concrete through bond-slip to describe the behavior of the composite reinforced concrete material. Using the rotating crack model among the smeared crack model, the structural behavior is simulated and a relation which can consider the tension stiffening effect in finite element analysis is proposed based on an improved cracking criterion derived from fracture mechanics principles. A new reinforcing steel model which is embedded inside a concrete element is developed to cope with the difficulty in modeling of complex geometry. Correlation studies between analytical and experimental results show the validity of the proposed models and identify the significance of various effects on the local and global response of reinforced concrete members. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.