A new approach for nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures with corroded reinforcements

A new approach for nonlinear finite element analysis of corroded reinforcements in reinforced concrete (RC) structures is elaborated in the article. An algorithmic procedure for producing the tension-stiffening curve of RC elements taking into consideration most of effective parameters, e.g.: the rate of steel bar corrosion, bond-slip behavior, concrete cover and amount of reinforcement, is illustrated. This has been established on both experimental and analytical bases. This algorithm is implemented into a nonlinear finite element analysis program. The abilities of the resulted program have been studied by modeling some experimental specimens showing a reasonable agreement between the analytical and experimental findings

Simulation and Behavior of Corrosion Deteriorated Reinforced Concrete Members

Several reinforced concrete (RC) infrastructures are now crumbling from corrosion of steel bars in concrete. The paper presents the recent advancements in analytical simulation of corrosion aftereffects on behavior of RC members. The model juxtaposes the experimental findings with analytical relationships. The implementation of the model into a nonlinear finite element formulation as well as the experimental and analytical backgrounds are discussed. The abilities of the resulted program have been studied by modeling some experimental specimens showing a reasonable agreement between the analytical and experimental findings

Evaluation of seismic performance of mid-rise reinforced concrete frames subjected to far-field and near-field ground motions

Damages to buildings affected by a near-fault strong ground motion are largely attributed to the vertical component of the earthquake resulting in column failures, which could lead to disproportionate building catastrophic collapse in a progressive fashion. Recently, considerable interests are awakening to study effects of earthquake vertical components on structural responses. In this study, detailed modeling and time-history analyses of a 12-story code-conforming reinforced concrete moment frame building carrying the gravity loads, and exposed to once only the horizontal component of, and second time simultaneously the horizontal and vertical components of an ensemble of far-field and near-field earthquakes are conducted. Structural responses inclusive of tension, compression and its fluctuations in columns, the ratio of shear demand to capacity in columns and peak mid-span moment demand in beams are compared with and without the presence of the vertical component of earthquake records. The influences of the existence of earthquake vertical component in both exterior and interior spans are separately studied. Thereafter, the correlation between the increase of demands induced by the vertical component of the earthquake and the ratio of a set of earthquake record characteristic parameters is investigated. It is shown that uplift initiation and the magnitude of tensile forces developed in corner columns are relatively more critical. Presence of vertical component of earthquake leads to a drop in minimum compressive force and initiation of tension in columns. The magnitude of this reduction in the most critical case is recorded on average 84% under near-fault ground motions. Besides, the presence of earthquake vertical components increases the shear capacity required in columns, which is at most 31%. In the best case, a direct correlation of 95% between the increase of the maximum compressive force and the ratio of vertical to horizontal effective peak acceleration (EPA) is observed

Hypoelastic modeling of reinforced concrete walls

This paper presents a new hypoelasticity model which was implemented in a nonlinear finite element formulation to analyze reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The model includes a new hypoelasticity constitutive relationship utilizing the rotation of material axis through successive iterations. The model can account for high nonlinearity of the stress-strain behavior of the concrete in the pre-peak regime, the softening behavior of the concrete in the post-peak regime and the irrecoverable volume dilatation at high levels of compressive load. This research introduces the modified version of the common application orthotropic stress-strain relation developed by Darwin and Pecknold. It is endeavored not to violate the principal of “simplicity” by improvement of the “capability”. The results of analyses of experimental reinforced concrete walls are presented to confirm the abilities of the proposed relationships

Simulation of the Behavior of Corrosion Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beams with/without CFRP Retrofit

Harsh environmental conditions along with aggressive chemical agents are known as one of the main reasons behind damages observed in reinforced concrete members. Corrosion of reinforcement worldwide is one of the leading causes of damages occurred in reinforced concrete over the lifespan. There are many critical energy and transportation infrastructures located on coastal regions exposed to high humidity and chloride content where they are highly prone to reinforcement corrosion. This calls for retrofit methods, which safeguard not only the strength but also the durability of corrosion deteriorated reinforced concrete structures. Carbon fiber polymers considering their mechanical and chemical properties are recognized as one of the main retrofit techniques. In this study, the influence of different levels of corrosion on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams is studied. ABAQUS software package is employed to simulate the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete beams with tensile reinforcements and stir-ups corrosion degrees of 20% and 40%. The structural behavior of original damaged specimen as well as the same specimen strengthen with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is studied. The purpose of the retrofit is compensate for the loss of shear and flexural capacity of the member due to corrosion. Different variants for the arrangement of CFRP strips are studied and compared. The result of the current research further uncaps the efficiency of fiber polymers to secure strength and durability of corrosion damaged reinforced concrete members

Investigation of Corrosion Effects on Bond-slip and Tensile Strength of Reinforced Concrete Members

The corrosion effect on tensile strength of RC members is very important to region with high corrosion conditions. In this article a study on finding bond behaviour, crack pattern, crack spacing, and tensile strength of RC members is presented. For this purpose a comprehensive experimental program including reinforced concrete cylanders with different concrete covers and reinforcement ratios under various corrosion rates is conducted. The specimens are located in large tub containing water and salt (5% salt solution) with a devich for accelerated corrosion production. For each specimen, the variation of total tensile strength versus its average strain is plotted and the member behaviour at various load levels is investigated. Average crack spacing, and maximum bond stress developed at each corrosion level are studied and their apporoperiate relationship are proposed. The main parameterrs considerd in this investigation are: corrosion rate (Cw), reinforcement diameter (d), reinforcement ratio (ρ), c/d and d/ρ

Corrosion effects on tension stiffening behavior of reinforced concrete

The investigation of corrosion effects on the tensile behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) members is very important in region prone to high corrosion conditions. In this article, an experimental study concerning corrosion effects on tensile behavior of RC members is presented. For this purpose, a comprehensive experimental program including 58 cylindrical reinforced concrete specimens under various levels of corrosion is conducted. Some of the specimens (44) are located in large tub containing water and salt (5% salt solution); an electrical supplier has been utilized for the accelerated corrosion program. Afterwards, the tensile behavior of the specimens was studied by means of the direct tension tests. For each specimen, the tension stiffening curve is plotted, and heir behavior at various load levels is investigated. Average crack spacing, loss of cross-section area due to corrosion, the concrete contribution to the tensile response for different strain levels, and maximum bond stress developed at each corrosion level are studied, and their appropriate relationships are proposed. The main parameters considered in this investigation are: degree concrete cover (c), ratio of of clear corrosion concrete (Cw), cover reinforcement to diameter (d), reinforcement ratio (ρ), rebar diameter (c/d), and ratio of rebar diameter clear to reinforcement percentage (d/ρ)

Seismic performance of mid-rise code-conforming X-braced steel frames

Prolixity and complexities inherent in the nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA) impel engineers to lean towards nonlinear static analysis (NSA) in practice. This paper partly explores differences and similarities in responses obtained from these two simulation techniques. The scope of the study is narrowed down to ubiquitous regular code-conforming mid-rise steel X-braced frames. Different common lateral load patterns are coupled with NSA to study their interactive effects on responses. The modal nonlinear static analysis is also carried out, where deemed necessary. NDA using three different earthquake records are conducted as well, to validate NSA results. Results of nonlinear analyses are undertaken to compare provisions of seismic rehabilitation code with those of seismic design codes. Base shear, story drift, lateral displacement profile obtained for each model are independently thoroughly discussed. Eventually, some suggestions to improve design code requirements are accordingly provided, as applicable

Seismic performance of mid-rise code-conforming X-braced steel frames

Prolixity and complexities inherent in the nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA) impel engineers to lean towards nonlinear static analysis (NSA) in practice. This paper partly explores differences and similarities in responses obtained from these two simulation techniques. The scope of the study is narrowed down to ubiquitous regular code-conforming mid-rise steel X-braced frames. Different common lateral load patterns are coupled with NSA to study their interactive effects on responses. The modal nonlinear static analysis is also carried out, where deemed necessary. NDA using three different earthquake records are conducted as well, to validate NSA results. Results of nonlinear analyses are undertaken to compare provisions of seismic rehabilitation code with those of seismic design codes. Base shear, story drift, lateral displacement profile obtained for each model are independently thoroughly discussed. Eventually, some suggestions to improve design code requirements are accordingly provided, as applicable

Simulation of the Behavior of Corrosion Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beams with/without CFRP Retrofit

Harsh environmental conditions along with aggressive chemical agents are known as one of the main reasons behind damages observed in reinforced concrete members. Corrosion of reinforcement worldwide is one of the leading causes of damages occurred in reinforced concrete over the lifespan. There are many critical energy and transportation infrastructures located on coastal regions exposed to high humidity and chloride content where they are highly prone to reinforcement corrosion. This calls for retrofit methods, which safeguard not only the strength but also the durability of corrosion deteriorated reinforced concrete structures. Carbon fiber polymers considering their mechanical and chemical properties are recognized as one of the main retrofit techniques. In this study, the influence of different levels of corrosion on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams is studied. ABAQUS software package is employed to simulate the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete beams with tensile reinforcements and stir-ups corrosion degrees of 20% and 40%. The structural behavior of original damaged specimen as well as the same specimen strengthen with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is studied. The purpose of the retrofit is compensate for the loss of shear and flexural capacity of the member due to corrosion. Different variants for the arrangement of CFRP strips are studied and compared. The result of the current research further uncaps the efficiency of fiber polymers to secure strength and durability of corrosion damaged reinforced concrete members