• Computers and Concrete
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.187-206
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• 2007

A rational three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model is described and implemented for evaluating the behavior of high strength concrete slabs under transverse load. The concrete was idealized by using twenty-nodded isoparametric brick elements with embedded reinforcements. The concrete material modeling allows for normal (NSC) and high strength concrete (HSC), which was calibrated based on experimental data. The behavior of concrete in compression is simulated by an elastoplastic work-hardening model, and in tension a suitable post-cracking model based on tension stiffening and shear retention models are employed. The nonlinear equations have been solved using the incremental iterative technique based on the modified Newton-Raphson method. The FE formulation and material modeling is implemented into a finite element code in order to carry out the numerical study and to predict the behavior up to ultimate conditions of various slabs under transverse loads. The validity of the theoretical formulations and the program used was verified through comparison with available experimental data, and the agreement has proven to be very good. A parametric study has been also carried out to investigate the influence of different material and geometric properties on the behavior of HSC slabs. Influencing factors, such as concrete strength, steel ratio, aspect ratio, and support conditions on the load-deflection characteristics, concrete and steel stresses and strains were investigated.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.369-382
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• 2020

This paper presents a discussion of the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) when applied for the analysis of concrete elements reinforced with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. The purpose of such nonlinear FEA model development is to create a tool that can be used for numerical parametric studies which can be used to extend the existing (and limited) experiment database. The presented research focuses on the numerical analyses of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP longitudinal and shear reinforcements. FEA of concrete members reinforced with linear elastic brittle reinforcements (like GFRP) presents unique challenges when compared to the analysis of members reinforced with plastic (steel) reinforcements, which are discussed in the paper. Specifically, the behaviour and failure of GFRP reinforced members are strongly influenced by the compressive response of concrete and thus modelling of concrete behaviour is essential for proper analysis. FEA was performed using the commercial software ABAQUS. A damaged-plasticity model was utilized to simulate the concrete behaviour. The influence of tension, compression, dilatancy, mesh, and reinforcement modelling was studied to replicate experimental test data of beams previously tested at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Recommendations for the finite element modelling of beams reinforced with GFRP longitudinal and shear reinforcements are offered. The knowledge gained from this research allows for the development of a rational methodology for modelling GFRP reinforced concrete beams, which subsequently can be used for extensive parametric studies and the formation of informed recommendations to design standards.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.629-638
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• 2016

Optimization of the concrete mixture design is a process of search for a mixture for which the sum of the cost of the ingredients is the lowest, yet satisfying the required performance of concrete. In this study, a statistical model was carried out to model a cost effective optimal mix proportioning of high strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC) using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The effect of five key mixture parameters such as water-binder ratio, cement content, fine aggregate percentage, fly ash content and superplasticizer content on the properties and performance of HSSCC like compressive strength, passing ability, segregation resistance and manufacturing cost were investigated. To demonstrate the responses of model in quadratic manner Central Composite Design (CCD) was chosen. The statistical model showed the adjusted correlation coefficient R2adj values were 92.55%, 93.49%, 92.33%, and 100% for each performance which establish the adequacy of the model. The optimum combination was determined to be $439.4kg/m^3$ cement content, 35.5% W/B ratio, 50.0% fine aggregate, $49.85kg/m^3$ fly ash, and $7.76kg/m^3$ superplasticizer within the interest region using desirability function. Finally, it is concluded that multiobjective optimization method based on desirability function of the proposed response model offers an efficient approach regarding the HSSCC mixture optimization.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.513-527
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• 2010

This paper presents a three-dimensional finite element method based structural analysis model for structural analysis of reinforced concrete high-rise buildings during construction. The model considered the time-dependency of the structural configuration and material properties as well as the effect of the construction rate and shoring stiffness. Uniaxial compression tests of young concrete within 28 days of age were conducted to establish the time-dependent compressive stress-strain relationship of concrete, which was then used as input parameters to the structural analysis model. In-situ tests of a RC high-rise building were conducted, the results of which were used for model verification. Good agreement between the test results and model predictions was achieved. At the end, a parametric study was conducted using the verified model. The results indicated that the floor position and construction rate had significant effect on the shore load, whereas the influence of the shore removal timing and shore stiffness have much smaller. It was also found that the floors are more prone to cracking during construction than is ultimate bending failure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1307-1325
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• 2016

Nonlinear behavior of two-span, continuous composite steel-concrete girders strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) bonded to the top of concrete slab over the negative moment region was evaluated using a non-linear Finite Element (FE) model in this paper. A three-dimensional FE model of continuous composite girder using commercial software ABAQUS simulated and validated with experimental results. The interfacial regions of the composite girder components were modeled using suitable interface elements. Validation of the proposed numerical model with experimental data confirmed the applicability of this model to predict the loading history, strain level for the different components and concrete-steel relative slip. The FE model captured the different modes of failure for the continuous composite girder either in the concrete slab or at the interfacial region between CFRP sheet and concrete slab. Through a parametric study, the thickness of CFRP sheet and shear connection required to develop full capacity of the continuous composite girder at negative moment zone have been investigated. The FE results showed that the proper thickness of CFRP sheet at negative moment region is a function of the adhesive strength and the positive moment capacity of the composite section. The shear connection required at the negative moment zone depends on CFRP sheet's tensile stress level at ultimate load.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.733-745
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• 2022

This study proposed a robust artificial intelligence (AI) model based on the social behaviour of the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) and artificial neural network (ANN) for modelling the deflection of reinforced concrete beams, abbreviated as ICA-ANN model. Accordingly, the ICA was used to adjust and optimize the parameters of an ANN model (i.e., weights and biases) aiming to improve the accuracy of the ANN model in modelling the deflection reinforced concrete beams. A total of 120 experimental datasets of reinforced concrete beams were employed for this aim. Therein, applied load, tensile reinforcement strength and the reinforcement percentage were used to simulate the deflection of reinforced concrete beams. Besides, five other AI models, such as ANN, SVM (support vector machine), GLMNET (lasso and elastic-net regularized generalized linear models), CART (classification and regression tree) and KNN (k-nearest neighbours), were also used for the comprehensive assessment of the proposed model (i.e., ICA-ANN). The comparison of the derived results with the experimental findings demonstrates that among the developed models the ICA-ANN model is that can approximate the reinforced concrete beams deflection in a more reliable and robust manner.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2023

To investigate the mechanical behavior of the post-tensioned prestressed concrete lining (PPCL), the desilting tunnel of the Xiaolangdi Hydro Project in China is adopted as a case, and a detailed three-dimensional continuum model verified by the observation results is established for the PPCL. The radial stresses, longitudinal stresses, axial forces and bending moments of the PPCL under the completed cable tension condition (CCTC) and design water pressure condition (DWPC) are analyzed, respectively. The numerical results reveal that the PPCL concrete is significantly compressed in the circumferential direction by the prestress, while the prestress has a negligible influence on the radial stresses of the PPCL concrete. It should be noted that the concrete near the anchor slots has a complex and adverse stress state with stress concentration, longitudinal tensioning and large bending moment. In addition, a simplified shell model and a further simplified beam model which can take the influences of the prestress loss and the anchor slot into consideration are proposed for the PPCL. The results of the simplified models are in a good agreement with these of the three-dimensional continuum model, and they can be used as efficient approaches for the structural design and analysis of the PPCL.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.502-505
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• 2006

The Purpose of this study is to offer an appropriate and reliable safety evaluation method the reinforced concrete members like as reinforced concrete deep beams and reinforced concrete columns, etc. A nonlinear finite element analysis program named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology) was used to evaluate the ultimate strength analytically for the reinforced concrete members that have complicated mechanical behaviors. The nonlinear material model for the reinforced concrete is composed of models for characterizing the behavior of the concrete, in addition to a model for characterizing the reinforcing bars. The proposed numerical method for the safety evaluation of reinforced concrete bridge structures that is consisted of reinforced concrete member is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.447-461
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• 2010

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have been widely used as reinforcement for concrete structures. However, under elevated temperatures, the difference between the transverse coefficients of thermal expansion of FRP rebars and concrete may cause the splitting cracks of the concrete cover. As a result, the bonding of FRP-reinforced concrete may not sustain its function to transfer load between the FRP rebar and the surrounding concrete. The current study investigates the cracking resistance of FRP reinforced concrete against the thermal expansion based on a mechanical model that accounts for the tensile softening behavior of concrete. To evaluate the efficacy of the proposed model, the critical temperature increments at which the splitting failure of the concrete cover occurs and the internal crack radii estimated are compared with the results obtained from the previous studies. Simplified equations for estimating the critical temperature increments and the minimum concrete cover required to prevent concrete splitting failure for a designated temperature increment are also derived for design purpose.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.669-680
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• 2013

This paper unveils a new computer based stabilization methodology for automated modeling analysis and its experimental verification for corrosion in reinforced concrete structures under the effect of varying oxygen concentration. Various corrosion cells with different concrete compositions under four different environmental conditions (air dry, submerged, 95% R.H and alternate wetting-drying) have been investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. The results of these laboratory tests were utilized with an automated computer-aided simulation model. This model based on mass and energy stabilization through the porous media for the corrosion process was coupled with modified stabilization methodology. By this coupling, it was possible to predict, maintain and transfer the influence of oxygen concentration on the corrosion rate of the reinforcement in concrete under various defined conditions satisfactorily. The variation in oxygen concentration available for corrosion reaction has been taken into account simulating the actual field conditions such as by varying concrete cover depth, relative humidity, water-cement ratio etc. The modeling task has been incorporated by the use of a computer based durability model as a finite element computational approach for stabilizing the effect of oxygen on corrosion of reinforced concrete structures.