Simulation of Multi-Cracking in a Reinforced Concrete Beam by Extended Finite Element Method

Abstract

Abstract Recently, extensive research on crack analysis using extended finite element method(XFEM) which has main advantages in element re-meshing and visualization of cracks has been conducted. However, its application was restricted to the members of a single material. In this study, the applicability and feasibility of the XFEM to the multiple crack analysis of reinforced concrete beams were demonstrated. ABAQUS which has implemented XFEM was used for the crack analysis and its results were compared with test results. Enriched degree-of-freedom locking phenomenon was discovered and its causes and the ways to prevent it were suggested. The locking occurs when cracks in the adjacent elements simultaneously develop. A modelling technique for multiple cracking similar to test results was also proposed. The analysis with XFEM showed similar results to the tests in terms of crack patterns, spacing of cracks, and load-deflection relationship. Keywords :extended finite element method(XFEM), reinforced concrete, three point bending test(3PBT), phantom node methods, crack analysis