Simulation of Structural Concrete under Cyclic Load

The selection and evaluation of finite–element modeling approaches for predicting cyclic behavior of structural concrete is presented. Nonlinear material models for structural concrete are evaluated through comparison of simulations with one set of experiments. A set of models is further evaluated through comparison with experiments of cyclically loaded structural concrete components with varying geometry, loading conditions, and hysteretic response. It is found that representation of shear transfer across crack faces strongly influences hysteretic behavior. Modeling compression strain–softening and the Bauschinger effect in reinforcing steel improves predicted cyclic response relative to experiments. The selected set of material models are evaluated and found to capture flexure–dominated hysteretic behavior, indicate potential shear–dominated failure, predict local influences of bonded prestressing through joints, and capture the influences of unbonded vertical prestressing in bridge columns. Modeling bondslip, concrete shear distortion, and steel buckling are necessary for full failure mode prediction. This research uses models available in commercial finite–element codes and is intended for researchers and practitioners interested in using nonlinear finite–element analysis to predict cyclic response of new and existing structural concrete designs.