Discrete modeling of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams under shear loads

Lin Wan-Wendner*, Jan Vorel, Alfred Strauss, Gianluca Cusatis, Roman Wan-Wendner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Conventional finite element software and associated numerical models are usually used to analyze the mechanical behavior of structural scale concrete beams. However, they lack the ability of accounting for concrete heterogeneity or including concrete aging and deterioration effects. This paper introduces the advanced techniques to model the behavior of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams under shear loads utilizing a discrete particle model incorporating effects from creep, shrinkage and prestress loss. Five-meter long concrete beams with full reinforcement and different prestress levels were tested under shear loads. Material tests of the concrete, including unconfined compression, uniaxial tests to measure modulus of elasticity, and splitting tests, were carried out on the day of shear testing. Concrete creep and shrinkage measurements were also conducted to study their effect on prestress loss and consequently shear response. The model constructs the beam with concrete as discrete particles and the steel rebars/tendons as beam elements. The concrete behavior is defined by constitutive laws with its material properties calibrated based on standard experimental tests. The behavior of reinforced rebars and prestressing tendons follow the elasto-plastic law of typical steel with known Young's modulus and yielding strength. The rebar beam elements and solid concrete elements interact with each other using penalty constraints. Before the shear load is applied, creep and shrinkage losses of concrete are evaluated, of which the parameters were calibrated based on the experimental measurements. The results of the predictive shear simulations for the reinforced and prestressed beams resemble those of the tested specimens including but not limited to the force-displacement curves, the failure types, and the crack patterns. These analysis-and-modeling techniques hold great significance to innovations in structures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationIABSE Conference, Vancouver 2017
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering the Future - Report
PublisherInternational Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE)
Pages1774-1781
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9783857481536
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017
Event39th IABSE Symposium in Vancouver 2017: Engineering the Future - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: Sep 21 2017Sep 23 2017

Publication series

NameIABSE Conference, Vancouver 2017: Engineering the Future - Report

Other

Other39th IABSE Symposium in Vancouver 2017: Engineering the Future
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period9/21/179/23/17

Keywords

  • Creep
  • Discrete modeling
  • Prestress loss
  • Prestressed concrete
  • Reinforced concrete
  • Shear
  • Shrinkage

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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