Comparative Study of Non Linear Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Beam using Abaqus

Abstract

Modern architectural requirements have given birth to an increased complexity in the shapes and configurations of building structures. The need to quantify behavior of these complex shapes in a structure gave birth to a new analysis methodology known as the Finite Element Analysis Method. This innovative technique involves disintegrating a complex shape into a number of smaller elements so that with certain constraints the overall behavior of the shape in question can be calculated based on each and every element’s behavior. Finite Element Method has become the foundation of various Structural Engineering software because it gives flexibility to model and analyze almost every type of structure. As structures consist of various members joined together to resist loading in an efficient way, understanding member behavior is vital to calculate structural behavior. Both theoretical and experimental procedures can be used to predict response of these members under particular loading conditions. Although experimental techniques result in actual response, they cannot be used for large and complex structures due to time and cost concerns. This is where Finite Element Method based software like ANSYS, ABAQUS, STRAND7 and SEISMOSTRUCT come in. The very thought of using these software to theoretically calculate member and structure response is comforting knowing that they save time and money to a great degree. This however, gives rise to a logical question that how similar the results are between Finite Element Analysis Method and actual field experiments. This study includes the formulation of finite element model of reinforced concrete beam which have been already experimented and published by (N. Jeenvan, 2018). Results of finite element model and experiment are compared and validated. After validation, a parametric study is performed to further explore the behaviour of reinforced concrete beam in terms of ultimate load and load deflection profile. Parametric study involves the analyze the effect of different shear span to effective depth ratio, various lengths of beam and various reinforcement ratios.