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How to Model Concrete Reinforcement

Using Finite Elements

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Concrete structures (/blog/how-model-concrete-using-finite-elements) include all types of reinforcement:

rebars, wire mesh, steel/composite wraps or plates, pre-tensioned or post-tensioned cables,
glass fiber reinforcement polymer (GFRP), etc. All have the purpose of carrying tensile forces
while relying on the concrete to carry the compression loads. A common question in the finite
element modeling of concrete reinforcement is: How do I model this reinforcement? Its a
straight forward question, but not easy to answer since it depends on the goal of the analysis.
For elastic design analyses, the reinforcement is usually neglected in the finite element
modeling since the stiffness contribution of the concrete is much greater than the
reinforcement. The reinforcement can safely be assumed to keep the composite structure

(/blog/railroad-fatigue)

intact, and thus act (for analysis purposes) as a homogenous elastic body. Forces and
moments are then extracted from the FEA solution (/engineering-consulting/fea-consulting-services) and
used as a basis to size the reinforcement needed to carry the net tensile forces in the section
while taking into account code requirements, concrete cover etc.

August 16, 2016

If a nonlinear analysis is needed, like in a situation where the ultimate capacity is to be

fatigue)

determined, then modeling of reinforcement is needed. The two most common options include
smeared reinforcement modeling to include the independent nonlinear response, but not
calculate discrete rebar stresses; and discrete reinforcement modeling which can capture
yield and/or slippage of individual bars.
Smeared rebar elements are added to the stiffness of the continuum elements, or added as a
layer to a composite brick or shell element. The rebar element effectively sits on top of the
existing concrete elements, and thus uses the same nodes as the underling concrete

by: Michael Bak

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elements. Additional stiffness properties are typically defined by a percentage of the element
area in up to three discrete directions controlled by the user input.This hybrid element
behaves similarly to 2 elements on top of each other (1 concrete and 1 steel). Be careful
when you define the reinforcement ratio since it is a function of the element size! For the
same rebar spacing, if you change the mesh you must also change the reinforcement ratio.

(/blog/shock-response)

Be sure to define the correct orientations of the elements since the rebar is typically based
on the element coordinate system (See Figure 1).
The value of this method is that it does not require explicit modeling of the rebar, and thus a
much coarser mesh can be defined. For overcoming difficult convergence issues, I find that
using a very small smeared rebar reinforcement ratio, to add a small tensile stiffness after
cracking, is often useful for mass concrete applications (where no rebar exists) and even
when discrete rebar is also modeled. ANSYS and LS-DYNA are two finite element codes
(/ansys-software-support/ansys-software) that

August 9, 2016
by: James Kosloski

Shock Response (/blog/shockresponse)

employ these types of smeared reinforcement elements.

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Figure 1: Smeared Rebar Orientation in ANSYS Solid65 Element

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August 2, 2016
by: Christina Capasso Jamerson

Alternately, reinforcement can be modeled in a discrete manner using link, spar or beam
elements found in all finite element software. These reinforcing spars can either be merged to
the solid concrete elements (shared nodes), or may be tied to the concrete elements using
either point-to-point or surface to surface contact, with the added advantage of providing the
ability to model bond slip. Figure 2 illustrates rebar modeled explicitly in an abutment
retaining wall.
Rebar Modeled with Spar Elements

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July 26, 2016

by: Peter Barrett

The Value of a Two Element

Model (/blog/value-two-elementSometimes a combination of methods is best. For stirrup or spiral reinforcement, it might not
make sense to try and model these explicitly. When modeling post-tensioned tendons, explicit
modeling is the best approach since the pre-load plays a major factor in the structural
response. One can then use features such as initial strain to incorporate the pre-stress into
the model.

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How do you currently model concrete reinforcement? I would love to hear how others
approach the successful modeling of reinforced concrete structures using finite elements.
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Peter Barrett 8 months ago

Ben,
Thanks for the note. In answer to our question, the reason for adding either rebar or wiremesh or fiber in concrete is to prevent cracking. While concrete is very strong in
compression (3000 psi or more) it has only 1/10 or less strength in tension. Tensile
forces that cause concrete cracking come from either external forces such as vehicle
loads in your driveway, thermally induced cracks from temperature loading or as
a result of shrinkage that occurs during the curing process.
For the case of external loads, the foundation underneath your driveway plays the
biggest role. If the soil is well compressed then external loads will result in minimal
deformation of the concrete and will limit the stresses in the concrete to be compressive.
However for the case where the soil support is soft or uneven, the
deformations of the soil could induce significant bending stresses in the concrete which
could result in cracking if the rebar or mesh is not strong enough to resist this motion.
Bending stresses are maximum on the top or bottom
surface depending upon the curvature of the deformation. To avoid cracking on the top
surface of the driveway the rebar or mesh should be positioned close to the surface, but
with enough cover to prevent air access for corrosion to occur.
see more

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Steven Hale a year ago

Thanks for the input. The *CONSTRAINED_LAGRANGE_IN_SOLID method in LSDYNA is similar to the contact method that Peter describes. It saves modeling time by not
requiring coincident nodes between the beam and solid elements. Explicit/STR and
AUTODYN have a similar tool for tying reinforcement beams to solids.

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GlukRazor a year ago

In case of explicit simulation on LS-DYNA *CONSTRAINED_LAGRANGE_IN_SOLID

card could be used https://youtu.be/glmpDbq-PS8

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