Modeling reinforced concrete structures using coupling finite elements for discrete representation of reinforcements

Abstract

This paper presents an alternative methodology to represent rebars and their bond-slip behavior against concrete based on coupling finite elements. Among the main features and advantages of the proposed technique are: (i) the coupling between the two independent meshes for concrete and reinforcement does not introduce any additional degree of freedom in the global problem; (ii) both rigid and non-rigid coupling can be used to represent the particular cases of perfect adherence and general bond-slip behavior, respectively; (iii) rebars of arbitrary geometry and orientation can be modeled; (iv) the methodology can be applied to 2D and 3D problems and (v) the formulation can be adapted to other type of finite elements and implemented easily in any existing FEM code. Constitutive models based on continuum damage mechanics are used to represent the concrete behavior and concrete-rebar interaction. A number of numerical analyses are performed and the results obtained show the versatility and accuracy of the proposed methodology.

A Voronoi Based Discrete Numerical Approach for Modelling Reinforcement in Concrete Structures

“…Besides this basic division, there is also a combination of discrete and embedded reinforcement models, where the reinforcement is embedded independently of the nodes of the finite concrete element as it is in the embedded model, and using individual interface elements, we describe directly the slipping between the reinforcement and concrete, as it is in the discrete reinforcement model [46]. Some examples of discrete numerical modelling of reinforced concrete or fibre reinforced concrete are shown below.…”

Analytical Study Regarding the Seismic Response of a Moment-Resisting (MR) Reinforced Concrete (RC) Frame System with Reduced Cross Sections of the RC Beams

“…For each of the studied analytical models, the "discretization rules" [52,53] (see Figure 3e), "stress-strain relations for concrete" [14,[54][55][56][57][58][59] and "stress-strain laws for steel reinforcement" were observed and applied [14,[60][61][62][63].…”

Transverse and longitudinal fluid flow modelling in fractured porous media with non‐matching meshes

“…Having independently defined the regular finite element with the embedded transverse pressure jump and longitudinal flow element in the previous section, the connection of both is addressed here. In this scope, the coupling framework in [47,48] is employed to enable the multi-layered concept presented in Section 2 -see Figure 2. Accordingly, CFEs are overlaid to the regular bulk elements to enforce the differences in the pressure from both regular and longitudinal elements to be zero at each coupling node.…”