Finite element modeling of reinforced concrete beams posttensioned with supplemental unbonded near surface mounted nickel‐titanium‐niobium shape memory alloy wire reinforcement

Abstract

AbstractA novel posttensioning technique using nickel‐titanium‐niobium (NiTiNb) shape memory alloy (SMA) wires for the repair of reinforced concrete beams was evaluated numerically. A finite element model of a reinforced concrete beam was developed within a damage mechanics framework to simulate concrete cracking and subsequent posttensioning. The predicted yield and ultimate moment capacities of the simulated posttensioned beams were up to 14% less than the corresponding experimental results. Cumulative discrepancies in the assumed material models led to the conservative model results. The effects of concrete tensile damage, SMA reinforcement ratio, SMA‐concrete interaction (bonded vs. unbonded), and the effective prestress on the service and ultimate behavior of the posttensioned beam were evaluated. Partial loss of prestress in the SMA due to elastic shortening of the concrete was insignificant (<3%) because of the relatively low elastic modulus of the SMA. Increasing the SMA reinforcement ratio by three times increased the yield moment of the posttensioned beam by 99%. Reducing the effective SMA prestress to 80% of the initial prestress to account for the possible losses resulted in a decrease in the yield moment by up to 7.8%.