Finite element modeling of precast reinforced concrete wall with dual boundary elements under lateral load

Abstract

This study aimed to stimulate the structural behaviour of the precast wall PC with dual boundary elements under constant axial load and incremental lateral load in terms of displacement control and assess its response based on the load–displacement response, stiffness degradation and modes of failure using Abaqus Software and validate the result of the tested specimen. Two approaches were used for defining the interaction between the steel reinforcement and the surrounding concrete where the high-stress regions are. Friction and cohesive behaviour using traction separation law were employed to define the interaction between the interfaces of the PC wall and post-cast concrete boundary elements. Furthermore, this study primarily focused on the nonlinear behaviour of concrete and steel materials, the bond-slip behaviour between concrete-to-steel interface, the interaction between precast and post-cast concrete interfaces, and load and boundary conditions. The concrete damage plasticity model was adopted to simulate the concrete behaviour and the cohesive and frictional behaviour to model the interaction between precast and post-cast concrete interfaces. The findings show that the initial response of both FE models agreed well with test rested specimen. However, Model I exhibited a stiffer response up to the yielding point. Furthermore, both FE models continued to exhibit ductile response, showing that the right-hand side post-cast cornet boundary element didn’t experience total crushing at the bottom right concrete.