FEM modelling of the static behaviour of reinforced concrete beams considering the nonlinear behaviour of the concrete

This paper presents a finite element (FE) method of modelling reinforced concrete beams. The proposed model takes into account the phenomena characteristic of reinforced concrete structures, such as the interaction between two materials (concrete and steel), the cracking caused by mechanical loads and the variation of the Young's modulus under increasing load. A relevant numerical FE analysis was carried out in the ABAQUS system using the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model. The character of Young's modulus variation due to increasing stress intensity level was taken from the author’s own research. The results of the FE calculations were compared with the results yielded by the author's numerical bar model.