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Comparative study on analysis of plain and RC beam using Abaqus

Article  in  International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology · May 2017

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2017, pp. 1531–1538 Article ID: IJCIET_08_04_172
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=4
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ANALYSIS OF

PLAIN AND RC BEAM USING ABAQUS
Ch. Koteswara Rao
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, KL University,
Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

P. Polu Raju
Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, KL University,
Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

T. Naga Seshu Babu

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, KL University,
Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT
Reinforced concrete has become one of the most important building materials and
is widely used in many types of engineering structures. To predict exact behavior of
element detailed properties and behavior of RC elements under different loading
conditions is needed. Experimental research supplies the basic information for finite
element modelling to get reliable analytical models to do so large number of
specimens is to be tested. In present study is to compare the experimental results with
manual results and Finite element modelling using ABAQUS software. Laboratory
tests are carried out on a beam dimension 500mm x 100mm x 100mm of M30 grade of
concrete for both plain concrete beam and reinforced cement concrete beam. Finite
element analysis is performed using ABAQUS software. The stress strain results from
experimental and analytical study is compared.
Key words: Plain concrete beam, RCC beam, direct stiffness method, finite element
modelling.
Cite this Article: Ch. Koteswara Rao, P. Polu Raju and T. Naga Seshu Babu,
Comparative Study on Analysis of Plain and RC Beam using Abaqus. International
Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(4), 2017, pp. 1531–1538.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=4

1. INTRODUCTION
In the olden days, stones are the only scope for construction of structural members like arches
but due to these failures in arched structures they are replaced by flat members (beam). Many
experiments were conducted by scholars like Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo etc. But they failed
to explain the complete behaviour of a beam. Study by Leonardo Da Vinci led to many
solutions for unsolved questions on behaviour of a beam [1].A beam is a structural

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 Ch. Koteswara Rao, P. Polu Raju and T. Naga Seshu Babu

element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting against bending. Beams
generally carry vertical gravitational forces but can also be used to carry horizontal load
[2].Fig. 1 shows the statically determinate beam, bending (sagging) under a point load

Figure 1 A statically determinate beam, bending (sagging) under a point load

The beams are show poor behaviour when they were made using plain concrete or steel.
Tensile strength of plain concrete is about one tenth of its compressive strength [2].The
concrete beams are weak in tension which leads to cracks, whereas the steel beams are weak
in compression which leads to buckling, compression and twisting of beams. Eventually the
beam collapses due to these failures [3].To overcome these failures, the concept of
Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams has been introduced from last few decades. Reinforced
concrete is a composite structure which utilizes compression of concrete and tension of steel
to produce a block that can take both compression and tension forces simultaneously.
Reinforced concrete is cost effective and easy to use, hence it is widely used as
construction material. However, the behavior of RC is still questionable under different types
of loads such as static, cyclic, dynamic, etc. [4]. Reinforcing steel and concrete interact in a
complex way through bond-slip and aggregate interlock [5].In order to build safe structures, it
becomes very essential to predict the load deformation behavior of reinforced concrete. In
this paper, the behavior of RC beam under centre point loading is studied experimentally.
Further, the experimental results are validated by analytical study carried out in ABAQUS
software.

2. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
Concrete beams of plain and RC type was used for study. The details of the beams including
section and reinforcement details are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 Description of specimen

Specifications Plain concrete beams Reinforced concrete beams
Grade of Concrete M30 M30
Grade of steel Nil Fe 415
Dimensions of Beam 500 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm 500 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm
Area of Steel Nil 8 mm Ø bars(4)
Cover Nil 25 mm
Stirrups size Nil 50 mm × 50 mm
Spacing of stirrups Nil 150 mm
Figs. 2 through 5 show that the testing apparatus and specimens being tested in the
laboratory. After completion of 28 days curing, the beams were subjected to center point

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 Comparative Study on Analysis of Plain and RC Beam using Abaqus

loading using UTM. Dial gauge were arranged to bottom of beam and hydraulic load is
applied linearly till first crack at which load and corresponding deflection were observed.
This process is done for all beams and ultimate load along with corresponding deflection for
all beams.

Before Loading After Loading

Figure 2 Plain Concrete Beam Testing

Figure 3 Reinforcement Casing Figure 4 RC Beam

Figure 5 Crack Pattern

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 Ch. Koteswara Rao, P. Polu Raju and T. Naga Seshu Babu

3. FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING

On the basis of central objective in research is finite element model of plain concrete beam
were developed.

3.1. Plain Concrete Beam

A solid model of a plain concrete beam with an area 100 mm x 100 mm and depth 500 mm,
and suitable material properties was developed using ABAQUS software [6]. After
assembling and assigning the properties, an input file is created which is then imported to
create an orphan mesh. Meshing is the process of generating nodes and elements. A mesh is
generated by defining nodes and connecting them to define the elements. In order to solve
any type of the finite element problem, the relevant job analysis should be established. After
creating job analysis the data should be checked and submitted to get the results and
visualized analytically.

3.2. Reinforced Concrete Beam

A sketch of concrete and steel section are created separately with ABAQUS, which can be
extruted in any direction. This is why a 3D solid element in ‘modelling space’ using
deformable type of beam was created. A solid model of a concrete beam with an area 100 mm
× 100 mm, depth 500 mm was developed. Steel rebars of length 450mm with stirrups 50 mm
× 50 mm was created. Thereinforcement for concrete beam was arranged with size 450mm
rebars and placing the stirrups with spacing 150mm from centre to the both sides with
effective cover 25mm to translate instance on both x, y and z directions. Assigning the steel
and concrete material properties for RC beam. A tie constraints ties two separate surfaces
together so that there is no relative motion between them. This type of contraint allows to
fuse together two regions even though the meshes created on the surface of the regions may
be dissimilar [7]. And specified load and boundary conditions of RC beam model are shown
below.
Giving an input file by assembling and Assigning material properties and create a
Meshing part for concrete, rebars, and stirups, giving an approximate size for global seed to
Assigning the mesh controls. A mesh part is generated by defining nodes and connecting
them to define the elements.
Field output request and historial output request should be given to establish the job
analysis. In order to solve any type of finite element problem, creating a job manager for data
check and submitted to get the results of full analysis in visualization.

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results from experimental and analytical study of beam under one point loading are
presented here. Tables 2 and 3 shows the load and deflection values for various specimens of
plain and reinforced concrete respectively.

Table 2 Results of Plain Concrete Beam

Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3
Parameter
Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 1 Cycle 2
Load(kN) 12.25 20.5 11.55 18.6 16.67 25
Displacement(mm) 7.50 21 8.2 19 7.8 23
Deflection(mm) 0.7 1.5 0.8 1.3 0.6 1.7

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 Comparative Study on Analysis of Plain and RC Beam using Abaqus

Table 3 Results of RC Beam

Parameters Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3
Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 1 Cycle 2
Load(kN) 63.4 74.4 49.35 55.1 46.85 67.05
Displacement 0.3 mm 1.3 mm 0.3 mm 1.3 mm 0.1 mm 1.4 mm
Deflection 0.16 mm 1.25 mm 0.2 mm 1.2 mm 0.2 mm 1.17 mm
Fig. 6 shows the deformation pattern of plane concrete beam where maximum
deformation Is observed at the centre of the beam under the loading. Fig. 7 shows the stress
distribution at various points of beam section in a plane concrete beam. Fig. 8 shows the load
deformation graph for various plain concrete beam specimens used for the study.

Figure 6 Déformation of plain concrete beam

Figure 7 Stress in plain concrete beam

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 Ch. Koteswara Rao, P. Polu Raju and T. Naga Seshu Babu

400
Beam 1
350
Beam 2
300
250

Stress kN/m2
200
150
100
50
0
0 0.01 0.02Strain 0.03 0.04 0.05

Figure 8 Stress-Strain graph for plain concrete beam

Fig. 9 shows deformation pattern of RC beam where maximum deformation is observed
at the centre of the beam under the loading. Fig. 10 shows the stress distribution at various
points of the beam section in the plane concrete and the steel bars.Fig. 11 shows the stress in
steel bar in under reinforced concrete beam. Fig. 12 shows the load deformation graph for
various RC beam specimens used for the study

Figure 9 Deformation of concrete beam

Figure 10 Stress in concrete beam

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 Comparative Study on Analysis of Plain and RC Beam using Abaqus

Figure 11 Stress in steel bar in under reinforced concrete beam

1600
1400
1200
1000
Stress (kN/m2)

800
600 Specimen 1
Specimen 2
400 Specimen 3

200
0
0 0.0005 0.001 0.0015 0.002 0.0025 0.003
Strain

Figure 12 Stress-Strain graph for RC Beam

Table 4 shows the comparison of results of experimental study and analytical results
obtained from the ABAQUS software. The results are similar, but not same due to
irregularities in the experimental studies.

Table 4 Comparaison of Results

Ultimate
Deflection Displacement Moment S.F
Name load Stress (kN/m2)
(mm) (mm) (kN-m) (kN)
(kN)
EXP FEA EXP FEA Tension Comp
PC 25 1.7 1.2 23 22 3 27.5 312 48
beam
RC 55 1.25 1.1 1.3 1.2 133.39 30 44.312 25
beam

5. CONCLUSIONS
The paper deals with the flexural behaviour of plain and RC beam under flexural loading. The
following conclusions can be drawn from the study :
 The deflection and stress values from the experimental study correlates well with the
analytical study carried out in ABAQUS.

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 Ch. Koteswara Rao, P. Polu Raju and T. Naga Seshu Babu

 Plain concrete being weak in tension, fails at lower loads and can sustain low deflections. The
strength and deformability improves quite remarkably with the addition of rebars.
 Maximum deflection was observed at the centre of the beam. Both RC and plain concrete
beams start to fail at centre of beam.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I Sincerely Thankful to Mr. D. RAKESH, Associate Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering, Dhanekula Institute of Engineering & Technology, for his Guidance and
Support in Completion of this project. My Special Thanks to my Juniors D. Bharath, M.
Balakrishna Reddy, P. Devi Varun, B. Augasteen, Under Graduate Students, Department of
Civil Engineering, Dhanekula Institute of Engineering & Technology, for their helping me in
Experimental work in Completion of this project.

REFERENCES
[1] Anthony J. Wolanski, B.S. (2004) “Flexural Behavior of Reinforced and Prestressed
Concrete Beams Using Finite Element Analysis”, Master’s Thesis, Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
[2] Vazirani, V.N.; Ratwani, M.M., (1995), “Concrete Structures”, Khanna Publishers, Delhi.
[3] S. Yamini Roja, P. Gandhi, DM. Pukazhendhi and R. Elangovan (2014),“Studies on
Flexural Behaviour of Concrete Beams Reinforced with GFRP Bars”, International
Conference on Emerging Trends in Science Engineering and Technology (ICETSET-
2014)
[4] Kachlakev, D., PhD., Miller, T , PhD, P Yim, S, PhD, PE; Chansawat , K. and Potisuk,
T., ( 2001), “Finite Element Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Structures Strengthened
with FRP Laminates”, Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Group
[5] Saenz LP (1964), “Discussion of aquation for the stress-strain curve of concrete”, by
Desayi and Krishnan. ACI J., 61(9): 1229-1235
[6] Hibbitt K, Karlsson B, Sorensen P (1988), ABAQUS: User's Manual: Hibbitt, Karlsson &
Sorensen.
[7] Hamid Sinaei, Mahdi Shariati, Amir Hosein Abna, Mohammad Aghaei and Ali Shariati
(2012), “Evaluation of reinforced concrete beams behaviour using finite element analysis
by ABAQUS‟ Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 7(21), pp. 2002-2009.

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