Numerical study on fiber-reinforced concrete using finite element method

Resumo

Different techniques have been recently developed to increase the tensile and shear strength of reinforced
concrete elements in addition to improving their durability. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has been the target
of many studies, since it presents a higher tensile strength and toughness when compared to regular concrete,
thus reducing crack growth, and increasing the concrete’s durability. In this study, a finite element analysis was
carried out to simulate the behavior of FRC and normal concrete beams under four-point loading conditions. A
parametric study was set to evaluate the influence of the the steel fibers concentration and stirrups ratios. The
ABAQUS Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model was used to describe the material’s constitutive behavior.
The ultimate bending capacities of the beams simulated were compared against the models proposed in the ABNT
NBR 16935:2021. Experimental results from the literature were compared to the results were found to be in
accordance with the finite element simulations and with the ultimate flexural capacity analytical solution proposed
by the NBR standard. The study showed that the finite element simulation method using the CDP model predicts
load-displacement curves slightly more stiffer than the experimental results nevertheless in good agreement with
the analytical models proposed by NBR 16935:2021.