Finite element analysis of confined concrete in building frame components and joints

Abstract

This thesis describes numerical investigations of the semi-rigid behaviour of the joints in precast concrete building frames. This research was one of three co-ordinated projects funded by EPSRC and carried out at Nottingham, Southampton and City Universities. It developed standardised finite element analysis techniques for modelling of reinforced concrete structures, improving the method of adding the smeared concrete material to overcome the early crushing phenomenon of the concrete elements. A number of experimental connections and precast concrete joints were numerically analysed to calibrate the finite element analysis techniques. Internal mechanism of the joints, such as cracking and crushing status of concrete components, stress distribution of the connectors and failure modes of the joints, all had to agree for the techniques to be acceptable. This calibration used connections tested in European Union countries through the COST initiative, including a T-stub connection, a bolt in concrete joint, and six billet-welded plate joints tested in the University of Nottingham.

Sensitivity analyses defined the mechanical behaviour of the billet-welded plate joints when a wide range of parameters were varied within realistic engineering limits. Simplified calculations for defining the characteristics of the joints were proposed for use in semi-rigid analysis of complete building frames.

Finally, the finite element analysis techniques were extended to the modelling of the innovative fibre reinforced plastic tube confined concrete columns tested at the University of Southampton.

The smeared concrete technique developed was shown to be effective for modelling the performance of locally cracked, and crushed, concrete components with limited confinement. The technique is also effective for the analysis of completely confined concrete up to approximately double the normal uniaxial compressive strain, after which an analysis based on the crushed concrete's equivalent granular material properties was found to be more suitable.

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