NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF STEEL FIBREREINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM UNDER STATIC LOADING

A nonlinear finite element analysis of steel fibre-reinforced concrete beams subjected to static loading was explored using ADINA software. A predefined 3D model of concrete beam of dimension 100 mm×100 mm×500 mm was prepared using the smeared crack approach to fracture of concrete in the mode I; this model simulates a nonlinear response in tension. Stress redistribution was performed by the equilibrium iterations process. Both stresses and displacements occurring at different node locations of the element were carefully examined. In addition, the results of laboratory experiments conducted on concrete beams with a fibre content of 60 kg/m3 based on volume (that is: 0.75% and 1% by volume of concrete) were compared to the analytical results in order to ascertain the consistency of the results. It was realized that the interfacial bond between the concrete and the fibres has a significant effect on the overall performance of the strengthened members