Effect of Modeling on NLFE Analysis of Concrete Structures

Abstract

This paper describes a technique of modeling concrete material properties for use in smeared cracking nonlinear finite element analysis of two‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures. The technique is applied to, and the predicted results are compared with, experimental results of 11 concrete beams which include examples both with and without web reinforcement, and for which the shear‐span‐to‐depth ratio varies from 0.5–7. Reasonable correspondence with test results is obtained for all of the six different failure modes exhibited by the test beams. The effect of varying the material parameters on the finite element prediction is examined, and a limited study of the effect of mesh refinement and variation of fracture energy parameters is included. It is concluded that nonlinear finite element analysis has developed to the point where reliable ultimate load analyses of two‐dimensional concrete structures can be carried out.