The Hybrid Panel-Truss Element: Developing a Novel Finite Element for the Nonlinear Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams and Shells

This research thesis presents a finite element for the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete beams and shells. The Hybrid Panel-Truss (HyPT) element overcomes the computational limitations that exist when working with current analysis paradigms implemented in commercial software. Instead of explicit shape functions, the element utilizes the combined actions of simpler subcomponents to capture the coupled axial, flexural and shear deformations associated with reinforced concrete structures. The finite element formulation itself is robust as only one element is required through the depth of a member, and efficient since the global degrees of freedom necessary in a structural analysis model are reduced. The predictive accuracy of the HyPT element was verified using the American Concrete Institute database of shear critical reinforced concrete beam tests. In addition, the element was used to successfully model the experimental component of this research - the first documented pure torsion tests on reinforced concrete shells.M.A.S