Modeling the Flexural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Built-up Beams

Abstract

Finite element modeling is used for tracking the flexural response of built-up reinforced concrete beams under the influence of dominant flexural loading. ABAQUS finite element analysis program was used toward this goal, due to its superior capability to represent the mechanical properties of concrete including compressive and tensile strength in strain hardening and softening behaviors; and the features related to steel reinforcement rebar. This study is based on the comparison between the theoretical analysis by the finite element method and the experimental results. The experimental program consists of casting and testing six rectangular cross-sections of simply supported reinforced concrete beams. Two beams are cast as a reference which fully Conventional Concrete (CC) and Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC), the rest four were built-up beams made by the combination of two types of concrete in one element. The study deals with, the load which caused a first crack, ultimate carrying capacity, load and deflection behavior at mid-span of beams, cracks patterns, and damage index of the examined beams. Good agreement was gained with the available experimental results that show the effectiveness of the finite element method for simulating the flexural performance of beams.