A 3D Computational Model of RC Beam Using Lower Order Elements with Enhanced Strain Approach in the Elastic Range

A procedure has been described to carry out three-dimensional elastic analysis of reinforced concrete beam employing finite element technique, which uses lower order elements. The proposed procedure utilizes 8-noded isometric solid /hexahedral elements HCiS18 with enhanced assumed strain (EAS) formulation, recently developed in the literature, to predict load-deformation and internal stresses produced in case of a simply supported RC beams in the elastic regime. It models the composite behaviour of concrete and reinforcements in rigid /perfect bond situation and their mutual interaction in bond-slip condition considering continuous interface elements at the material level. Although, bond-slip relation are very much non-linear in behaviour even at the beginning of the loading condition, predictions from the proposed model /procedure are found to be very close to the experimental observations as far as accuracy is concerned in the elastic range. The sole purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the general applicability and to explore the potentiality of using lower order solid elements in the 3D finite element analysis with an aim of developing a general analytical method for the study of reinforced concrete beam in the elastic range.