Effect of Element Type of Reinforcement on Failure Performance of Four-point Bending beam

This paper is investigating the effect of element type used for finite element modeling of behavior of reinforced concrete beam subjected to four-point bending test. To this end two finite element (FE) models were simulated by the ABAQUS standard software. The only difference between these two FE models was the selection the element type to the reinforcement where in the first model the reinforcement was modeled as solid element and using linear hexahedral element (C3D8R) for it like other parts in the model while in the second model it was modeled by wire element and assigning linear two nodes truss element (T3D2) to it. Obtained results demonstrated that when the elements of reinforcement and concrete are the same, more compatibility exists between the reinforcement and concrete. This compatibility results in a more accurately load transfer from the surrounding concrete to reinforcement bar.

Keywords:

concrete damage plasticity , element type , ABAQUS