ABSTRACT
A numerical procedure based on the finite element method is developed for the nonlinear analysis of reinforced fibrous concrete members subjected to monotonic loads. The proposed method is capable of tracing the response of these structures up to their ultimate load ranges. The predicted results include displacements, strains, curvatures, slopes, stresses, and member end actions. An iterative scheme based on Newton-Raphson’s method is employed for the nonlinear solution algorithm. A frame element with a composite layer system is used to model the structure. The constitutive models of the nonlinear material behaviour are presented to take into account the nonlinear stress-strain relationships, cracking, crushing of concrete, debonding and pull-out of the steel fibres, and yielding of the reinforcement. The analytical solution of steel fibre reinforced concrete short columns and beams are compared with published experimental test results to verify the accuracy of the proposed procedure, and to demonstrate the validity of the adopted and developed material constitutive models.
