Reply to the Discussion by H. Jiang and B. Fu of “Prediction of energy absorption capacity of un-cracked and cracked concrete elements through three-point bending tests”1Appears in the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 39(10): 1161–1162 [doi: 10.1139.l2012-089

Abstract

In the discussion, the discussers are concerned about the applicability of the suggested model in the paper for the cases of torsional loading and reinforced concrete. The authors want to mention that the above paper provides a general methodology to calculate the total energy absorption capacity of concrete elements, which includes typical beams and columns. For concrete elements subjected to torsion, the torsional shear stress equations in Mechanics of Solids or Elasticity textbook could be adopted without much effort, for the cases of pure torsion and combined torsion, axial loading, and bending. Prediction of the energy absorption capacity of reinforced concrete elements could be also conducted with inclusion of the perfect elastic-plastic behavior of steel rebar. All the stress calculations in classical reinforced concrete can be used to sketch the complete load displacement of the element and further predict its energy absorption capacity.