Two-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis of monotonically and non-reversed cyclically loaded RC beams

This paper describes a two-dimensional nonlinear finite element procedure for the analysis of reinforced concrete beams under monotonic and cyclic loading. The procedure is based on the use of secant modulus. The rectangular finite elements for modelling concrete adopt an orthotropic constitutive model based on the smeared and rotating crack approach. In a bid to model the crack pattern, the local bond-slip effect is directly modelled by linear displacement contact elements. To verify the usefulness of the procedure, two groups of beams respectively under monotonic and non-reversed cyclic loading are studied. Reasonably good agreement of load–deflection relationship between the experimental and computed results is observed. If the mesh used in the finite element modelling is fine enough, the failure regions form crack bands which agree reasonably well with the crack patterns observed in the experiments. The results show that the procedure is capable of modelling the formation of both flexural and flexural shear cracking with the proper choice of bond parameters.