Applied Analysis & Technology

Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Nonlinear Finite Element Techniques

2013 Regional User Conference

Presented By: David R. Dearth

May 14, 2013

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Introduction
During initial design of reinforced concrete beams, structural engineers typically estimate the general sizing of the beam using conventional hand equations. [Reference ACI 318]
Conventional hand analysis approaches involve using linear elastic equations to compute equivalent, or transformed, cross sectional properties. Elastic equations are limited to estimating the onset of RC beam cracking of the concrete and to some extent also approximating ultimate failure of the RC beam after initial cracking. To analyze the regions between initial cracking and ultimate failure, nonlinear FE analysis techniques are required.

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Baseline or Background Analysis

Before considering taking on the task of analyzing the nonlinear response of RC beams, engineers should have at least a working knowledge of how to perform a conventional linear analysis using pencil, paper and a calculator per ACI code requirements.
When tasked with performing the nonlinear analysis one most likely will look at a sample tutorial problem and simply follow the same steps with their particular problem of interest substituting instructions from the sample tutorial. The real questions are : How can one relate the physical observations witnessed in the environmental test lab to virtual testing developed using nonlinear FEA techniques? Or how one can simulate actual physical testing of RC beams using computer analyses software?

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Analysis Results vs. Physical Tests

The best approach would be to locate some actual test data. When it comes to verifying the analytical results from analysis of RC beams there is very little documented information showing results from actual physical testing under tightly controlled laboratory conditions. Test data on RC beams is very scarce.
A search through the available engineering literature found comprehensive, documented data of actual physical testing under tightly controlled laboratory conditions of several RC beams performed by Foley and Buckhouse1. Wolanski2 provides analytical correlation to the laboratory testing with detailed finite element analysis of the 1997 Buckhouse1 RC beam tests. The testing performed by Foley and Buckhouse1 are cited in several other technical papers addressing FEA of RC beams.

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RC Beam Definition
RC Beam from Buckhouse Testing (1997) Marquette University1,2

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RC Beam from Buckhouse Testing (1997)

Simple Supported Beam Tested at Marquette University

Reinforcement Layout
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Review Fundamental Principals ACI 318

There are generally three (3) methods for addressing stress and deflection in RC beams using conventional hand equations per ACI 3183. The most common methods are:
Linear Elastic Uncracked Approach: The linear elastic uncracked method assumes
tension stress in the concrete remains below the cracking limit. Tension stresses are assumed liner elastic and fully effective in an uncracked concrete section. This method is used to calculate the state of stress and deflections when the RC beam structure is subjected to normal anticipated service load conditions.

Elastic Cracked Approach: The elastic cracked method assumes concrete tension
stress has exceeded cracking limits and neglects any concrete tension stress. Linear elastic compressive stresses are balanced by tension stresses in the reinforcement.

Ultimate Cracked Approach: The ultimate cracked method assumes a simplified

yielding stress criterion. For ultimate load carrying strength capability, tension stress in the concrete is assumed nonexistent and maximum compressive strain is assumed to equal c = 0.003. The balancing tensile loading is assumed fully carried by the steel reinforcement with the steel at yield, Fty.
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Stage 1: Linear Elastic Conditions

Initial Cracking per Linear ACI 318
Allowable compressive stress for concrete listed a value of fc = 4,800 psi
Per ACI 318 9.5.2.3 tension rupture stress

= 7.5 = 7.5 4,800 = 520 Calculated cracking moment, Mcr, and corresponding equivalent loading Pcr = 4,680 lbs. The equivalent linear elastic deflections = 0.050; gross section properties per ACI. Cracking moment, Mcr_tr, and corresponding equivalent loading Pcr_tr = 5,080 lbs. The equivalent linear elastic deflections for this applied loading = 0.052; composite transformed section properties.

RC Beam Linear Elastic Composite Section Properties

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Stage 2: Elastic Cracked Section

Balanced State of Stress Concrete & Rebar
When the maximum tensile stress in the concrete exceeds modulus of rupture, fr, the cross section is assumed to be "cracked" and all the tensile stress is assumed to be carried by the steel reinforcement. For the cross section shown properties for the composite assembly is Icrack = 1,116 in4. This effective inertia is used for computing deflections after crack initiation. RC Beam Elastic Cracked Section Properties
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Stage 3: Ultimate - Cracked Moment M u

Cracked Moment Mu: Whitney Rectangular Stress Block
To compute ultimate failure, cracked bending moment tension stress in the concrete is assumed nonexistent and maximum compressive strain is assumed to equal c = 0.003. Tensile loading the steel reinforcement at yield stress.

The calculated ultimate moment capacity Mu = 826,740 in-lbs. Equivalent ultimate loading Pu, = 13,780 lbs. The equivalent deflections at this applied ultimate loading applied loading = 0.548.
RC Beam Ultimate Cracked Section Properties
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Results: Deflections ACI 318 Hand Analyses

Deflections ACI 318 Hand Analyses
The effective inertia, Ieff, is calculated after crack initiation according to ACI 318 9.5.2.3. A comparison of measured deflections at the center line of the control beam to the computed deflections using ACI 318 hand equations is shown at right. 3 =( ) + 1
3
Reproduced Test Data

ACI Computed Values

Compare ACI 318 Calculations to Test Data

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FEA Model Definition

Nonlinear Cracking to Ultimate using MSC/Marc

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FEM Definition: Nonlinear Cracking

For comparison purposes it was decided to duplicate as closely as possibly the RC beam test article and FEA model definition described by Foley & Buckhouse1 and Wolanski2.
Due to the symmetry of loading and geometry, the full RC beam can be idealized using quarter symmetric idealization; symmetric boundary conditions (constraints) are denoted.

Full RC Beam Geometry

Quarter Symmetric RC Beam Geometry

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Concrete: Basic Isotropic Properties

Concrete Properties
The concrete is idealized using 3D solid elements. Youngs modulus of elasticity is computed using ACI 318 8.5.1. = 57,000 = 57,000 4,800 = 3.949 106 The stress-strain curve data for the concrete is shown at right. To maintain consistency with Wolanski2 analysis, a Poissons ratio for concrete = 0.3 is assumed. It is recognized, however, that a Poissons value of = 0.18 to 0.2 may be more representative for concrete.

Concrete Compressive Stress-Strain Data

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Concrete: Nonlinear Cracking Properties

The non-linear concrete cracking formulation used by MSC/Marc is based on Buyukozturk model. The typical strain-softening relationship of concrete and idealized forms are shown below. The area under the tension-softening region represents fracture energy Gf. When tension-softening, Es, is not included, material loses all load-carrying capacity; stress goes to zero upon cracking. Assuming the characteristic length for the RC concrete beam equals the depth of the beam, hc = 18 inches. Then fracture energy Gf can be calculated from the following: = 1

2 2

= 0.62 /

Typical stress-strain
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Uniaxial Stress-Strain Diagram

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Steel Reinforcement
The steel reinforcement (rebar & stirrups) is idealized using Rod/Truss elements with discrete idealization of rebar with the concrete; i.e. rebar & concrete elements sharing common nodes.
Linear Youngs Modulus, Es = 29,000,000 psi Poissons Ratio, = 0.3 Yield Stress, Fty, = 60,000 psi Bi-Linear Elastic-Plastic Modulus, E1 = 2,900 psi (nearly perfectly plastic)

Quarter Symmetric RC Beam Rebar & Stirrups

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Applied Loading
Buckhouse1 lists the ultimate recorded loading at failure equal to 16,300 lbs. To ensure uniform deflections at the load points, individual concentrated loading is distributed as shown below.

Concentrated Nodal Loading Distribution

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Solution Parameters
The MSC/Marc nonlinear solution Load Increment Parameters were set to Adaptive increment type as shown below. The Iteration Tolerance Parameters for convergence were set to Residual Force = 10%.

Adaptive Load Increment Dialog Inputs

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FEA Model Results

Nonlinear Cracking to Ultimate using MSC/Marc

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Results: Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis

Deflections from FEA Analyses
The figure shows a comparison of measured deflections at the center line of the Buckhouse1 control beam to the computed deflections from the FEA model developed using MSC/Marc4.
Reproduced Test Data

FEA Computed Values

Compare FEA Results to Test Data

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Results: Notes
The nonlinear FEA MSC/Marc solution contains only 17 output steps using adaptive load stepping In the analysis performed by Wolanski2 the iteration parameters were adjusted during selected load steps to ensure the analytical results better fit the experimental data. Having prior knowledge of the solution to the nonlinear response is not what is generally available to analysts attempting to predict the response of beams before they are built. For the analysis outlined herein, no prior knowledge of the solution is assumed and it was decided to perform the analysis by applying the full ultimate loading and letting the program solution determine what happens in between zero load and full ultimate loading.

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Results: Crack Initiation Comparison

Stress at Crack Initiation Comparison to Hand Calculations
Maximum principal stress contour plot of the concrete at the onset of crack initiation is shown. The load step increment to the onset of cracking is Incr =11, Time =0.32150 of total loading. The corresponding applied loading is 16,300 x 0.32150 = 5,240 lbs. This value is within +3% of the hand calculations using the composite properties for the transformed section (concrete & rebar) Pcr_tr = 5,080 lbs. The corresponding computed stress value of 490 psi is within 6% of the maximum allowable tension stress, or rupture stress fr = 520 psi defined per ACI 318 9.5.2.3. This figure illustrates the concrete stress distribution at the last linearelastic load step before cracks begin to develop.

Compare FEA Results to Test Data

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Crack Progression Crack, Strain Vector Plots

Crack Progression
The progressive pictures shown to the right illustrate typical propagation of the concrete cracks by displaying Vector plots of Resultant Crack Strain.

Crack Propagation Resultant Crack Strain

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References
1. Christopher M. Foley and Evan R. Buckhouse, Strengthening Existing Reinforced Concrete Beams for Flexure Using Bolted External Structural Steel Channels, Structural Engineering Report MUST-98-1, January 1998. 2. Anthony J. Wolanski, B.S., Flexural Behavior of Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Beams Using Finite Element Analysis, Masters Thesis, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin May, 2004.

3. ACI 318-08, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary ACI Manual of Concrete Practice, Part 3, American Concrete Institute, Detroit, MI, 1992.
4. MSC/Marc Reference Manuals & Finite Element Analysis System: Volumes A, B, C, D" MSC Software Corporation, 2 MacArthur Place, Santa Ana, California 92707

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