Studies of the stress-strain state of the support zones of reinforced concrete beams with clipped by the finite element method

Abstract

This paper deals with the nonlinear finite element analysis of two shear-critical concrete dapped-end beams. Reinforced concrete dapped-end beams having nominal shear span to depth ratio values of 0.56 and 0.59, concrete strength 32 MPa and 34 MPa, and reinforcement ratio via yield strength 2.83 MPa and 7.39 MPa, that failed in shear have been analyzed using the ‘ANSYS’ program. The ‘ANSYS’ model accounts for the nonlinearity, such as, post cracking tensile stiffness of the concrete, stress transfer across the cracked blocks of concrete. The concrete is modeled using ‘SOLID65’– eight-node brick element, which is capable of simulating the cracking and crushing behavior of brittle materials. The internal reinforcements have been modeled discretely using ‘LINK8’ – 3D spar element. A parametric study is also made to explain the effects of variation of some main parameters such as shear span to depth ratio, concrete compressive strength, and the parameter of main dapped-end reinforcement on the behavior of the beams. From the present modality the capability of the model to capture the critical crack regions, loads and deflections for various types of shear failures in reinforced concrete dapped-end beams have been illustrated. The parametric study shows that the beams shear strength is affected by the shear span to depth ratio, concrete compressive strength and the amount of main reinforcement.