Keywords: fibre reinforced concrete, nonlinear finite element modelling.

Experimental investigation is obviously a reliable method in the analysis of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) structures. Although there is a large body of experimental data available on fibre reinforced concrete structures, there has been little success in developing a nonlinear finite element model to predict the structural behaviour of FRC because it has much higher tensile properties than that of plain concrete, particularly the post-peak resistance over ordinary concrete. An attempt has been made in the recent research to utilize advanced modelling technique [1] to predict the complete load-deflection response of FRC beam and FRC flat slab at slab-column connection. Experimental results obtained from technical literatures [2,3] have been used for validation. Parametric studies on the slab thickness and reinforcement size have been conducted. The numerical model used in this research has proved its ability in computing the complete load-deflection response for the analysis of FRC structure. The numerical results match closely to the experimental results. Parametric studies have revealed that whilst the slab thickness was increased (i.e. reduction in reinforcement ratio), the value of the failure load was increased. However, when a certain limit is exceeded, the failure mechanism would have changed from flexural shear to punching shear failure. These will give the basis for the development of more accurate design models.

[1]

C.S. Chin, "Experimental and Computational Analysis of Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Composites", PhD Thesis, Civil and Computational Engineering Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Wales Swansea, 2006.

[2]

C.S. Chin "Reinforced Concrete Structures with Fibres", BEng Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Wales Swansea, 2002.

[3]

B.P. Hughes, Y. Xiao, "Flat Slabs with Fibre or Link Reinforcement at Slab-Column Connections", Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Structs. & Blgds., 110, 308-321, 1995. doi:10.1680/istbu.1995.27875

purchase the full-text of this chapter (price £20)

go to the previous chapter
go to the next chapter
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £95 +P&P)