• Computers and Concrete
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.383-400
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• 2020

Due to higher stiffness to weight, higher corrosion resistance, higher strength to weight ratios and good durability, concrete composite structures provide many advantages as compared with conventional materials. Thus, they have wide applications in the field of concrete construction. This research focuses on the structural behavior of steel-tube CFRP confined concrete (STCCC) columns under axial concentric loading. A nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) model of STCCC columns was simulated using ABAQUS which was then, calibrated for different material and geometric models of concrete, steel tube and CFRP material using the experimental results from the literature. The comparative study of the NLFEA predictions and the experimental results indicated that the proposed constitutive NLFEA model can accurately predict the structural performance of STCCC columns. After the calibration of NLFEA model, an extensive parametric study was performed to examine the effects of different critical parameters of composite columns such as; (i) unconfined concrete strength, (ii) number of CFRP layers, (iii) thickness of steel tube and (iv) concrete core diameter, on the axial load capacity. Furthermore, a large database of axial strength of 700 confined concrete compression members was developed from the previous researches to give an analytical model that predicts the ultimate axial strength of composite columns accurately. The comparison of the predictions of the proposed analytical model was done with the predictions of 216 NLFEA models from the parametric study. A close agreement was represented by the predictions of the proposed constitutive NLFEA model and the analytical model.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.825-846
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• 2015

In this study, shear tests on steel fiber reinforced-prestressed concrete (SFR-PSC) members were conducted with test parameters of the concrete compressive strength, the volume fraction of steel fibers, and the level of effective prestress. The SFR-PSC members showed higher shear strengths and stiffness after diagonal cracking compared to the conventional prestressed concrete (PSC) members without steel fibers. In addition, their shear deformational behavior was measured using the image-based non-contact displacement measurement system, which was then compared to the results of nonlinear finite element analyses (NLFEA). In the NLFEA proposed in this study, a bi-axial tensile behavior model, which can reflect the tensile behavior of the steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) in a simple manner, was introduced into the smeared crack truss model. The NLFEA model proposed in this study provided a good estimation of shear behavior of the SFRPSC members, such as the stiffness, strengths, and failure modes, reflecting the effect of the key influential factors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2020

Reinforced concrete beam-column (RCBC) joints of laterally loaded unbraced frames are sometimes controlled by their shear behavior. This behavior relies on multiple and interdependent complex mechanisms. There are already several studies on the influence of some parameters on the shear strength of reinforced concrete joints. However, there are no studies methodically tackling all the most relevant parameters and quantifying their influence on the overall joint behavior, not just on its shear strength. Hence, considering the prohibitive cost of a comprehensive parametric experimental investigation, a nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was undertaken to identify the key factors affecting the shear behavior of such joints and quantify their influence. The paper presents and discusses the models employed in this NLFEA and the procedure used to deduce the joint behavior from the NLFEA results. Three alternative, or complementary, quantities related to shear are considered when comparing results, namely, the maximum shear stress supported by the joint, the secant shear stiffness at maximum shear stress and the secant shear stiffness in service conditions. Depending on which of these is considered, the lower or higher the relevance of each of the six parameters investigated: transverse reinforcement in the joint, intermediate longitudinal bars and diagonal bars in the column, concrete strength, column axial load and confining elements in transverse direction.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.661-678
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• 2024

The utilization of geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete (GRAC) as the infilled core of the concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns provides superior economic and environmental benefits. However, limited research exists within the field of geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete considered a green and sustainable material, in addition to the limitation of the design guidelines to predict the behavior of such an innovative new material combination. Moreover, the behavior of high-strength concrete is different from the normal-strength one, especially when there is another material of high-strength properties, such as the steel tube. This paper aims to investigate the behavior of the axially loaded square high-strength GRACFST columns through the nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA). A total of thirty-two specimens were simulated using ABAQUS/Standard software with three main variables: recycled aggregate replacement ratio (0, 30, and 50) %, width-to-thickness ratios (52.0, 32.0, 23.4, and 18.7), and length-to-width ratio (3, 5, 9, and 12). During the analysis, the response in terms of the axial load versus the longitudinal strain was recorded and plotted. In addition, various mechanical properties were calculated and analyzed. In view of the results, it has been demonstrated that the mechanical properties of high-strength GRACFST columns such as ultimate load-bearing capacity, compressive stiffness, energy absorption capacity, and ductility increase with the increase of the steel tube thickness owing to the improvement of the confinement effect of the steel tube. In contrast, the incorporation of the recycled aggregate adversely affected the mentioned properties except the ductility, while the increase of the recycled aggregate replacement ratio improved the column's ductility. Moreover, it has been found that the increase in the length-to-width ratio significantly reduced both the failure strain and the energy absorption capacity. Finally, the obtained NLFEA results of the ultimate load-bearing capacity were compared with the corresponding predicted capacities by numerous codes. It has been concluded that AISC, ACI, and EC give conservative predictions for the ultimate load-bearing capacity since the confinement effect was not considered by these codes.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.455-479
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• 2005

This paper describes a 2D nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) platform that combines heat flow analysis with realistic analysis of cracked reinforced concrete structures. The behavior models included in the structural analysis are mainly based on the Modified Compression Field Theory and the Distributed Stress Field Model. The heat flow analysis takes into account time-varying thermal loads and temperature-dependent material properties. The capability of 2D nonlinear transient thermal analysis is then implemented into a nonlinear finite element analysis program VecTor2(C) for 2D reinforced concrete membranes. Analyses of four numerical examples are performed using VecTor2, and results obtained indicate that the suggested nonlinear finite element analysis procedure is capable of modeling the complete response of a concrete structure to thermal and mechanical loads.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.363-376
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• 2007

The paper presents the development of an adaptable strut-and-tie model that can be applied to the design or analysis of four-pile caps that support axial compression and biaxial flexure from a supported rectangular column. Due to an absence of relevant test data, the model is validated using nonlinear finite element analyses (NLFEA). The results indicate that the use of the proposed model would lead to safe and economical designs. The proposed model can be easily extended to any number of piles, providing a rational procedure for the design of wide range of pile caps.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.2
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• pp.273-291
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• 2021

The strut-and-tie method (STM) has been widely accepted and used as a rational approach for the design of disturbed regions ('D' regions) of reinforced concrete members such as in corbels and deep beams, where traditional flexure theory does not apply. This paper evaluates the applicability of the equilibrium based STM in strength predictions of deep beams (with rectangular and circular cross-section) and corbels using the available experiments in literature. STM is found to give fairly good results for corbel and deep beams. The failure modes of these deep members are also studied, and an optimum amount of distribution reinforcement is suggested to eliminate the premature diagonal splitting failure. A comparison with existing empirical and semi empirical methods also show that STM gives more reliable results. The nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) of 50 deep beams and 20 corbels could capture the complete behaviour of deep members including crack pattern, failure load and failure load accurately.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.337-353
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• 2018

The present study focuses on examining the structural behaviour of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams under high rates of loading largely associated with impact problems. Fibres are added to the concrete mix to enhance ductility and energy absorption, which is important for impact-resistant design. A simple, yet practical non-linear finite-element analysis (NLFEA) model was used in the present study. Experimental static and impact tests were also carried out on beams spanning 1.3 meter with weights dropped from heights of 1.5 m and 2.5 m, respectively. The numerical model realistically describes the fully-brittle tensile behaviour of plain concrete as well as the contribution of steel fibres to the post-cracking response (the latter was allowed for by conveniently adjusting the constitutive relations for plain concrete, mainly in uniaxial tension). Suitable material relations (describing compression, tension and shear) were selected for SFRC and incorporated into ABAQUS software Brittle Cracking concrete model. A more complex model (i.e., the Damaged Plasticity concrete model in ABAQUS) was also considered and it was found that the seemingly simple (but fundamental) Brittle Cracking model yielded reliable results. Published data obtained from drop-weight experimental tests on RC and SFRC beams indicates that there is an increase in the maximum load recorded (compared to the corresponding static one) and a reduction in the portion of the beam span reacting to the impact load. However, there is considerable scatter and the specimens were often tested to complete destruction and thus yielding post-failure characteristics of little design value and making it difficult to pinpoint the actual load-carrying capacity and identify the associated true ultimate limit state (ULS). To address this, dynamic NLFEA was employed and the impact load applied was reduced gradually and applied in pulses to pinpoint the actual failure point. Different case studies were considered covering impact loading responses at both the material and structural levels as well as comparisons between RC and SFRC specimens. Steel fibres were found to increase the load-carrying capacity and deformability by offering better control over the cracking process concrete undergoes and allowing the impact energy to be absorbed more effectively compared to conventional RC members. This is useful for impact-resistant design of SFRC beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.737-755
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• 2013

This paper aims to develop a practical approach to modeling of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) strengthened masonry panels. The main objective is to provide suitable relations for the material characterization of the masonry constituents so that the finite element applications of elasto-plastic theory achieves a close fit to the experimental load-displacement diagrams of the walls subjected to in-plane shear and compression. Two relations proposed for masonry columns confined with FRP are adjusted for the cohesion and the internal friction angle of both units and mortar. Relating the mechanical parameters to the uniaxial compression strength and the hydrostatic pressure acting over the wall surface, the effects of major and intermediate principal stresses ${\sigma}_1$ and ${\sigma}_2$ on the yielding and the shape of the deviatoric section are then reflected into the analyses. Performing nonlinear finite element analyses (NLFEA) for the three walls tested in two different studies, their stress-strain response and failure modes are eventually evaluated through the comparisons with the experimental behavior.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.155-171
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• 2017

This paper presents a proposed method for producing reinforced composite concrete columns reinforced with various types of metallic and non metallic mesh reinforcement. The experimental program includes casting and testing of twelve square columns having the dimensions of $100mm{\times}100mm{\times}1000mm$ under concentric compression loadings. The test samples comprise all designation specimens to make comparative study between conventionally reinforced concrete column and concrete columns reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh and tensar mesh. The main variables are the type of innovative reinforcing materials, metallic or non metallic, the number of layers and volume fraction of reinforcement. The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of employing the new innovative materials in reinforcing the composite concrete columns. The results of an experimental investigation to examine the effectiveness of these produced columns are reported and discussed including strength, deformation, cracking, and ductility properties. Non-linear finite element analysis; (NLFEA) was carried out to simulate the behavior of the reinforced concrete composite columns. The numerical model could agree the behavior level of the test results. ANSYS-10.0 Software. Also, parametric study is presented to look at the variables that can mainly affect the mechanical behaviors of the model such as the change of column dimensions. The results proved that new reinforced concrete columns can be developed with high strength, crack resistance, and high ductility properties using the innovative composite materials.