A Simplified Constitutive Model for Dowel Action across RC Cracks

Abstract

Cracks and interfaces have been recognized as important planes in global behavior of RC structures. In fact, the response of structures, failure modes and even capacity of RC elements can be affected by the stress transfer mechanism across cracks and interfaces. On the other hand, understanding and expressing different kinds of stress transfer mechanisms has a major role in finite element-based analyses. In this paper, dowel action mechanism has been examined analytically and experimentally. In order to simulate the shear transfer by the dowel bar under different loading conditions, the beam on elastic foundation analogy has been extended by proposing a simple elasto-plastic formulation for subgrade springs. Available experimental results and the data obtained from the experimental program have been used to calibrate and develop the model. Verification of the proposed model is carried out by comparing with the corresponding experimental results.