Crack identification in reinforced concrete beams using ANSYS software

Abstract

Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of reinforced concrete beam has been developed in this study. The general purpose finite element package, ANSYS 8.0, is employed for the numerical analyses. Using SOLID65 solid elements, the compressive crushing of concrete is facilitated using plasticity algorithm while the concrete cracking in tension zone is accommodated by the nonlinear material model. Smeared reinforcement is used and introduced as a percentage of steel embedded in concrete. Comparison with hand calculated results is presented for the concrete beam. Convergence of analytical results is showed. The capability of the model to capture the critical crack regions, loads and deflections for various types of loadings in reinforced concrete beam has been illustrated.Introduction. Concrete structural components require the understanding into the responses of these components to a variety of loadings. There are several methods for modeling the concrete structures through both analytical and numerical approaches [1,2]. Finite element (FE) analysis is a numerical one widely applied to the concrete structures based on the use of the nonlinear behavior of materials. Finite element analysis (FEA) provides a tool that can simulate and predict the responses of reinforced and prestressed concrete members. A number of commercial FEA codes are available, along with the advanced modules for complex analyses. The use of FEA has increased because of progressing knowledge and capability of computer packages and hardware. Any attempts for engineering analyses can be done conveniently and fast using such versatile FEA packages. Nonlinear material models have been integrated in many of general purpose finite element codes, i.e., ABAQUS, ANSYS, STRAND7, or MSC NASTRAN. Those nonlinear models play a vital role in nonlinear response analyses since each material component tends to possess the complicated stress-strain behavior. Among those packages, ANSYS [3] provides a three-dimensional element (SOLID65) with the nonlinear model of brittle materials similar to the concrete materials. The element features a smeared crack analogy for cracking in tension zones and a plasticity algorithm to take into account the concrete crushing in compression zones. It is eight-node solid isoparametric element with the integration points for the cracking and crushing checks. The linear elastic behavior governs the analyses until exceeding either the specified tensile or compressive strength values. Once the principal stresses at the integration points reach the tensile or compressive strength, the cracking or crushing of concrete elements can be formed. Then, the cracked or crushed regions will form in perpendicular with the locally redistributed residual stresses to the direction of principal stress. These require the nonlinear iterative solution with high performance computer [4,5].

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