Finite element formulation to simulate tension stiffening and development of discrete cracks of fiber reinforced concrete

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The tension stiffening behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) and fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) members is studied under uniaxial loading conditions. The members are comprised of a concrete section with or without fibers, and reinforcing rebars. When a tensile force is applied at the rebar ends, tensile stresses are transferred to the concrete through the bond-slip behavior between the rebar and the concrete interface. In addition, the bond-slip mechanism causes relative displacements (slips) between the concrete and the rebar. Due to the low tensile strength of the concrete, cracks are developed during the loading process, and therefore the force transferred through the cracked section is mainly controlled by the steel rebar. When FRC is used, part of the force is transferred by the fibers bridging over the crack between two concrete interfaces. The tension stiffening behavior is mainly controlled by the mass of fibers per unit volume and fracture energy. An extended and novel one-dimensional hybrid finite element is developed for the analysis of the uniaxial loading of RC or FRC members. The new element is appropriate both for uncracked and cracked sections, considering a nonlinear formulation to account for the force transferred through the crack. The mathematical formulation is based on the variational principle and considers a nonlinear bond-slip behavior between the concrete and the steel rebar, and a simplified approach to consider the fiber volume in the formulation. Comparisons with test results for both RC and FRC pullout experimental results show the capabilities of the model to simulate the tension stiffening. The new model proposed in the current study can serve as an efficient tool to study both the local and global behaviors of FRC members under uniaxial tension. The distribution of the cracks, their widths and crack localization effects can be further investigated using the model.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationConcrete Structures
Subtitle of host publicationNew Trends for Eco-Efficiency and Performance - Proceedings of the fib Symposium 2021
EditorsEduardo Julio, Jonatas Valenca, Ana Sofia Louro
Pages661-670
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9782940643080
StatePublished - 2021
Event2021 fib Symposium of Concrete Structures: New Trends for Eco-Efficiency and Performance - Virtual, Lisbon, Portugal
Duration: 14 Jun 202116 Jun 2021

Publication series

Namefib Symposium
Volume2021-June
ISSN (Print)2617-4820

Conference

Conference2021 fib Symposium of Concrete Structures: New Trends for Eco-Efficiency and Performance
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityVirtual, Lisbon
Period14/06/2116/06/21

Keywords

  • Discrete cracks
  • Fiber reinforced concrete
  • Finite element
  • Tension stiffening

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Materials Science (miscellaneous)

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