Finite Element Analysis of Shear Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beams after Fire

Abstract

Shear strength and stiffness of fire-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams were researched. The nonlinear finite element method (FEM) was developed to simulate shear strength of fire-damaged RC beams. Considering mechanical properties deterioration of concrete and steel reinforcing bar, the parameters of fire-damaged RC beams, including fire exposure time, shear span to depth ratios, concrete strength, diameters of stirrups and spacing of stirrups, were analyzed. Based on numerical analysis, the change of shear strength and stiffness of fire-damaged RC beams were identified. The results showed that shear strength and stiffness of fire-damaged RC beams changed under different parameters. With increase of fire exposure time or increase of shear span to depth ratio or decrease of concrete strength, shear strength and stiffness of fire-damaged RC beams descended obviously. With decrease of diameters of stirrups or increase of spacing of stirrups, shear strength of fire-damaged RC beams descended gradually, but stiffness of fire-damaged RC beams had little change.