Discrete Analyses of Shear Failure in Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical analyses of reinforced concrete (RC) members using discrete approaches, called spring network models. RC members under certain conditions exhibit brittle failure with strain localization under shear failure. In order to distinguish this failure mode from ordinary shear failure, which is less brittle and results in a more distributed strain field, this failure mode is called a sliding shear failure. The mechanisms of sliding shear failure are not well defined. Since the spring network model is one of the discrete-type approaches that are well suited to problems where material discontinuities are dominant, the results of numerical analysis are used to improve understanding of sliding shear failure. The model is validated through comparison of simulated and observed response for RC beams that exhibit ordinary shear failure and RC panels subjected to pure shear forces that exhibit sliding shear failure. A parameter study is then performed using the proposed model.