Multiscale Approach of the Mechanical

Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Structures

The Real Model
M. David
1,2
J.-J. Marigo
2
1
LaMSID-UMR EDF/CNRS 2832
2
cole Polytechnique, LMS
Introduction
Steel reinforcements and prestressing tendons have a great influence on the mechanical behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. The method generally used in
the literature to model these reinforcements consists in using bar elements. This simplified model has several drawbacks. In particular, these bar elements
introduce a slight mesh dependency, and create local stress concentrations. We propose to build a different model, which reproduces the mechanical non-linear
behaviour of steel reinforcements and prestressing tendons, by using the method of asymptotic analysis.
The Industrial Context
Modelling of the containment efficiency of
a concrete vessel (50 m high, 1.2 m thick)
The steel reinforcements (green) have a
diameter of 2 cm, and a spacing of 20 cm
The prestressing tendons (yellow) have a
diameter of 8.4 cm, and a spacing of 40 cm
Three dimensional computations are
unaffordable (~ 10
9
dof)
Bar elements are not really satisfactory
(stress concentrations, mesh dependency)
Need for relevant simplified models
The Limit Model
Identification of a limit model, when
Using the method of separation of scales, we obtain the following limit
behaviour. The fibers form a membrane, which is connected with concrete
through a non-linear interface law:
Validation of the Limit Model
Modelling of the pull-out of a set of
reinforcing bars
Comparison between a 3D reference
simulation and the limit model
Excellent agreement between the two
models: the relative error on the load-
displacement curve is less than 5 %
[ ] [ ]

=
=
=
=

) ( .
) (
4
) ( div .
2
z z
z z c s
z z s zz s M
M
e
d
e
d
E
e n
e u u
e e u
n

Conclusion and Future Works

Work Completed:
Development of a relevant limit model, accounting
for a possible decohesion of the steel-concrete
interface
Implementation of the model in a finite element
code (Code_Aster)
Validation of the model and comparisons with
detailed 3D computations
Future Work:
Application to the modelling of
large concrete structures
Use of this model in combination
with concrete damage models
References
J.-J. Marigo, C. Pideri : The Effective Behavior of Elastic Bodies Containing Microcracks or Microholes Localized on a Surface.
International Journal of Damage Mechanics (Special issue of ESMC 2009)
M. David, J.-J. Marigo, C. Pideri : Homogenized Interface Model Describing Inhomogeneities Located on a Surface
Journal of Elasticity (submitted)
Typical interface law:
Parameters of the model:
- spacing of the bars
- diameter of the bars
- rigidity of steel
Study of a set of unidirectional cylindrical shaped
steel reinforcements, with a diameter d, a spacing e,
and the following material parameters
for steel and concrete:
Classical mechanics
equations in the continuum:
Non-linear interface law between steel and
concrete, characterized by a potential (for
monotonic loadings):
The mechanical parameters characterizing the behaviour of the membrane
and the cohesive law are computed analytically.
The model is implemented in the finite element code Code_Aster. The
elastic behaviour is modelled by membrane elements, and the relative sliding of
the membrane by specific cohesive elements
Industrial Application
Modelling of the opening of a crack in a
prestressed reinforced concrete structure
Pre-stressing tendons modelled in 3D
Reinforcing bars modelled with the limit
model
Study of the influence of the tendon-
concrete interface law
) , ( and ) , (
c c s s
E E
) ( .
c s
u u n =
) , 0 , 0 (

z
z
rz

=
1 >>
c
s
E
E
1 <<
e
d
1 <<
L
e

=
= +
) ( : K
) ( div
u
0 f
0
L
e
E
E
s
c
Cohesive law, with a simple
sliding in the direction e
z
Membrane behaviour, with a
simple rigidity in the direction e
z