Comparison between Experimental and 3D Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced and Partially Pre-Stressed Concrete Solid Beams Subjected to Combined Load of Bending, Torsion and Shear

This paper presents a non-linear analysis of three reinforced and two partially prestressed concrete solid beams based on a 20 node isoparametric element using an in-house 3D finite element program. Anon linear elastic isotropic model, proposed by Kotsovos, was used to model concrete behaviour, while steel was modelled as an embedded element exhibiting elastic-perfectly plastic response. Allowance was made for shear retention and for tension stiffening in concrete after cracking. Only in a fixed direction, smeared cracking modelling was adopted. The beams dimensions were 300x300 mm cross section, 3800 mm length and were subjected to combined bending, torsion and shear. Experimental results were compared with the non-linear predictions. The comparison was judged by load displacement relationship, steel strain, angle of twist, failure load, crack pattern and mode of failure. Good agreement was observed between the predicted ultimate load and the experimentally measured loads. It was concluded that the present program can confidently be used to predict the behaviour and failure load of reinforced and partially prestressed concrete solid beams subjected to a combined load of bending, torsion and shear.