Prediction of shear strength of reinforced concrete beams by nonlinear finite element analysis

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a nonlinear finite element analysis to predict the shear strength of rectangular reinforced concrete beams using a single material model for concrete. Over one hundred beams were analysed covering all important parameters governing shear strength. The results of the analysis enable one to predict ‘good’ lower bound to the experimental values. Unlike many investigations, emphasis was placed not only on good prediction of the ultimate shear strength, but also on the fact that the predicted mode of failure corresponded closely with the observed mode of failure. It is hoped that the investigation will encourage wide spread use of nonlinear analysis to predict the performance of unconventional structures.