Advanced Computational Modeling with FVDAM for Homogenization of Reinforced Concrete Beams

Resumo

Reinforced concrete is widely used in civil engineering due to its strength, durability, and versatility. This material is heterogeneous, as it combines concrete with steel bars, giving it a tensile strength much higher than that of simple concrete. However, the computational modeling of this type of material is challenging due to the need to consider the distinct properties of the phases, generating considerable computational costs. According to Almeida (2018), the simulation process of reinforced concrete beams requires a meticulous analysis of the interactions between concrete and steel, as well as the non-linear behavior of the material under different load conditions. This complexity significantly increases the time and resources needed to perform accurate computational analyses. An alternative to modeling reinforced concrete is to replace it with a homogeneous material with properties/behaviors equivalent to those of the original heterogeneous material.
The Finite-Volume Direct Averaging Micromechanics (FVDAM) method emerges as a promising and efficient alternative for obtaining the effective elastic properties of composite materials with complex microstructures. In this study, the efficacy of FVDAM in the homogenization of reinforced concrete beams was evaluated. The stiffness using this technique was compared with that obtained using the calculations presented by Pinheiro (2007). In addition, two unit cell models were compared, differentiating the shape of the fiber: square and circular (Escarpini and Almeida, 2023).
In this work, it is expected to understand the influence of the fiber shape in the unit cell and compare the results of FVDAM with those of Pinheiro, in terms of stiffness, evaluating issues in the context of safety.