Numerical Simulation of Reinforced Concrete beam Under Flexure Using Finite Element Method

Understanding the response of concrete structural components such as beams, columns, walls during loading is indispensable for the development of safeand efficient structures. The present report deals with the non-linear static analysis of a Reinforced Concrete (RC) beam, having dimensions 4000mmX400mmX 250mm, with 4 nos. of 16mm diameter bar as main reinforcements, 8mm diameter at 200mm c/c as shear reinforcement, with two faces of the beam as fixed modeled and analyzed when subjected to two point loads at one-third span from each fixed support using the Finite Element Analysis software Ansys. The behavior of the analyzed beam has been observed in terms of flexural behavior, load-deflection responses, and crack pattern for various loading conditions until failure load. Keywords: Finite element analysis, ANSYS, flexural behavior, Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams, material non- linearity, shear reinforcement.

Ductility Estimation of Concrete Beams Longitudinally Reinforced with Hybrid FRP-Steel Bars

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the ductility of reinforced concrete beams longitudinally reinforced with hybrid FRP-Steel bars. The specimens were fourteen reinforced concrete beams with and without hybrid reinforcement. The test variables were bars position, the ratio of longitudinal reinforcement, and the type of FRP bars. The beams were loaded up to failure using a four-point bending test. The performance of the tested beams was observed using the load-deflection curve obtained from the test. Numerical analysis using the fiber element model was used to examine the growth of neutral axis depth due to the effect of test variables. The neutral axis curves were then used to further estimate the neutral axis angle and neutral axis displacement index. The test results show that the position of the reinforcement greatly influences the flexural behavior of the beam with hybrid reinforcement. It was observed from the test that the flexural capacity of beams with hybrid reinforcement is 4% to 50% higher than that of the beams with conventional steel bars depending on bars position and the ratio of longitudinal reinforcement. The ductility decreases as the hybrid reinforcement ratio (Af/As) increases. This study also showed that a numerical model developed can predict the flexural behavior of beams with hybrid reinforcement with reasonable accuracy.

Flexural Behavior of Six Species of Italian Bamboo

The good mechanical performance of bamboo, coupled with its sustainability, has boosted the idea to use it as a structural material. In some areas of the world it is regularly used in constructions but there are still countries in which there is a lack of knowledge of the mechanical properties of the locally-grown bamboo, which limits the spread of this material. Bamboo is optimized to resist to flexural actions with its peculiar micro structure along the thickness in which the amount of fibers intensifies towards the outer layer and the inner part is composed mostly of parenchyma. The flexural strength depends on the amount of fibers, whereas the flexural ductility is correlated to the parenchyma content. This study focuses on the flexural strength and ductility of six different species of untreated bamboo grown in Italy. A four-point bending test was carried out on bamboo strips in two different loading configurations relating to its microstructure. Deformation data are acquired from two strain gauges in the upper and lower part of the bamboo beam. Difference in shape and size of Italian bamboo species compared to the ones traditionally used results in added complexity when performing the tests. Such difficulties and the found solutions are also described in this work. The main goal is to reveal the flexural behavior of Italian bamboo as a functionally graded material and to expand the knowledge of European bamboo species toward its use as a structural material not only as culm but also as laminated material.

Flexural Behaviour of Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Incorporated with Hazardous Heavy Metal Waste Ash and Glass Powder

The flexural behavior of Incinerated Bio-Medical Waste Ash (IBWA) – Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) based Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete (RGPC) beams with Waste Glass Powder (WGP) as fine aggregate is explored in this research. The fine aggregate (M-Sand) is substituted by varying the waste glass powder as 0 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, 15 percent, 20 percent, 25 percent, 30 percent, 35 percent, 40 percent, 45 percent, and 50 percent, and the mixture is cured under atmospheric curing. The impact of the WGP weight percentage on the flexural behavior of GPC beams is analyzed. The conduct of RGPC beams varies from that of ordinary Portland Concrete (OPC) beams, which is defined and examined. Deflection, ductility factor, flexural strength, and toughness index were measured as flexural properties for beams. In contrast to the reference beams, the RGPC beams containing 50% Waste Glass Powder as fine aggregate demonstrated a major increase in cracking resistance, serviceability, and ductility, according to the experimental finding. The RGPC beam without WGP ended in failure with a brittle manner whereas those beams with WGP encountered ductile failure. The RGPC beams' load ability improved by up to 50% as the weight percentage of WGP was enhanced.