MATERIAL MODEL FOR FE ANALYSIS OF

YIELDING IN RC SLABS -
PART I: INVESTIGATION OF CONCRETE
MATERIAL MODEL IN ABAQUS

Project Work

Approved by the Faculty of Civil Engineering

Technische Universität Dresden

ACCESS Master Program

by

Tangirbergen Zaidolla, B.Eng in Civil Engineering

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Michael Kaliske.

 2

Dresden, 31.05.2021

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Abstract 3

Abstract

This report presents the results of laboratory tests and finite element (FE) analyses of concrete
cylinder subjected to compression and a steel reinforced concrete slab under 4-point bending test
using the FEM software ABAQUS/CAE 2020. The aim of the present study is to compare
experimental results with the ABAQUS results. Initially Laboratory tests are carried out on a
cylinder of 150 x 300 mm and a slab of 3300 x 500 x120 mm of C50/60 grade concrete for plain,
under, over reinforced sections in Technical University of Dresden. Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
have also been performed using ABAQUS for the model geometry considered in the experimental
study. The numerical results from the FEA are compared with the experimental results which
showed good agreement between the results.

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Notation 4

Notation

𝜎𝑡 – tensile stress
𝜎𝑐 – compressive stress
𝜀𝑡 – tensile strain
𝜀𝑐 – compressive strain
ν - Poisson’s ratio

ƒc– compressive strength of concrete

ƒct– tensile strength of concrete

ƒyk– tensile strength of steel

𝑑𝑡 – tensile damage parameter

𝑑𝑐 – compressive damage parameter
𝐸0 – Young’s modulus
ρ – Density

ψ – Dilation angle

є - Eccentricity

µ - Viscosity parameter

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Table of Figures 5

Table of contents

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 7
1.1 Scope and assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7
1.2 Methods, experiments and software ......................................................................................... 7
1.2.1 Why FEM ........................................................................................................................... 7
1.2.2 4-Point Flexural test ............................................................................................................ 8
1.2.3 ABAQUS as FEM software ............................................................................................... 10
1.2.4 Outline .................................................................................................................................. 12

2 Preparing the analysis ...................................................................................................... 13

2.1 Geometry .............................................................................................................................. 13
2.1.1 Geometry of cylinder ............................................................................................................. 13
2.1.2 Geometry of slab ............................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Material models ..................................................................................................................... 15
2.2.1 ABAQUS Damaged Plasticity Model ........................................................................................ 15
2.2.2 Tension Stiffening Relationship ................................................................................................. 15
2.2.3 Compressive Stress-Strain Relationship ..................................................................................... 16
2.2.4 Other Material Properties ........................................................................................................... 17

3 ABAQUS Analysis ................................................................................................................ 18

3.1 Material modelling of concrete ..................................................................................................... 18
3.1.1 Numerical model ....................................................................................................................... 18
3.2 ABAQUS nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete ............................................................... 23
3.2.1 Defining Engineering data ................................................................................................. 23
3.2.2 Geometry .......................................................................................................................... 24
3.2.3 Connections and contact regions ........................................................................................ 25
3.2.4 Mesh ................................................................................................................................. 26
3.2.5 Loads and supports ............................................................................................................ 27
3.2.6 Creating analysis job. ........................................................................................................ 28

4 Results ............................................................................................................................... 29
4.1 Analysis of results ................................................................................................................. 29
4.2 Comparison with experiment ................................................................................................. 32

5. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 34
5.1 Further work.......................................................................................................................... 34
Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Table of Figures 6

References ................................................................................................................................ 35

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Table of Figures 7

Table of Figures

Figure 1: 3-point and 4-point bending test [3]. ............................................................................... 8

Figure 2: Abaqus products [4]. .................................................................................................... 11
Figure 3: Slab profile [7]. ............................................................................................................ 14
Figure 4: Beam cross-section [7]. ................................................................................................ 14
Figure 5: Stirrups profile [7]. ....................................................................................................... 14
Figure 6: Terms for Tension Stiffening Model [8]. ...................................................................... 15
Figure 7: Terms for Compressive Stress-Strain Relationship [8]. ................................................. 16
Figure 8: CDP’s (a) yield surface and (b) flow rule [10]. ............................................................. 17
Figure 9: The parameters of concrete used in the numerical simulation ........................................ 19
Figure 10: The nonlinear stress–strain relationships obtained from the FE analysis and the
laboratory tests. ........................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 11: Failure mechanism of the concrete cylinder in the FEA. ............................................. 22
Figure 12: Wire steel bars. ........................................................................................................... 24
Figure 13: Idealized behaviour for steel in both tension and compression [12]. ............................ 24
Figure 14: Slab geometry ............................................................................................................ 25
Figure 15: Interaction between parts. ........................................................................................... 26
Figure 16. C3D8R hexahedral element [9]. .................................................................................. 26
Figure 17: Mesh for concrete slab. ............................................................................................... 27
Figure 18: Loading for concrete slab. .......................................................................................... 28
Figure 19: Job analysis ................................................................................................................ 28
Figure 20: Deflection................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 21: Tensile damage........................................................................................................... 29
Figure 22: Crack propagation in Experiment PK 1-1 [7]. ............................................................. 30
Figure 23: Plastic strains.............................................................................................................. 30
Figure 24: Stress in steel. ............................................................................................................. 31
Figure 25: Force-Deflection comparison. ..................................................................................... 32
Figure 26: Force-Deflection comparison in the middle of the plate. Load vs IWA 3 .................... 33

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Introduction 7

1 Introduction

1.1 Scope and assumptions

A concrete slab is a structural element that carries load primarily in bending. The loads carried
by a slab are transferred to beams, columns, walls, which is then transferred to foundations. The
compression section must be designed to resist buckling and crushing, while the tension section
must be able to adequately resist to the tension. Experimental based testing has been widely used
as a means to analyze individual elements and the effects of concrete strength under loading. The
use of computer software to model these elements is much faster and extremely cost-effective.
This helps in refining the analytical tools, so that even without experimental proof or check the
complex nonlinear behavior of RC slabs can be confidently predicted.

1.2 Methods, experiments and software

1.2.1 Why FEM

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a computational method used to perform finite element
analysis for any physical analysis in engineering.
Engineers use FEA software to reduce the number of physical prototypes and experiments and
optimize components in their design phase to develop better products, faster while saving on
expenses.
It is necessary to use mathematics to comprehensively understand and quantify any physical
phenomena such as structural or fluid behavior, thermal transport, wave propagation, the growth of
biological cells, etc. Most of these processes are described using Partial Differential Equations
(PDEs). However, for a computer to solve these PDEs, numerical techniques have been developed
over the last few decades and one of the prominent ones, today, is the Finite Element Analysis.
Differential equations not only describe natural phenomena but also physical phenomena
encountered in engineering mechanics. These partial differential equations (PDEs) are complicated
equations that need to be solved in order to compute relevant quantities of a structure (like stresses
(𝜎 ), strains (𝜀 ), etc.) in order to estimate the structural behavior under a given load. It is important
to know that FEA only gives an approximate solution to the problem and is a numerical approach
to get the real result of these partial differential equations. Simplified, FEA is a numerical method
used for the prediction of how a part or assembly behaves under given conditions [1].

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Introduction 8

1.2.2 4-Point Flexural test

Bending tests are carried out by placing a reinforced concrete beam onto two supports at either
end of the beam and applying a downward force from the top of the beam until the point of failure.
The downward force is applied through two more supports separated from each other perpendicular
to the span of the beam on the top side. Bending tests reveal the modulus of elasticity, bending
stress, and bending deformation of the material.
Four-point bending tests are carried out similarly to three-point bending test, except that
instead of applying the load to one point in the center of the material, the load is applied to two
slightly separated points on the material. This separation of point-to-point sources extends the
bending region from the center, so that a greater part of the material is tested than in a three-point
flexural test.
Solid materials can be tested using bending tests as a measure of the strength of the material,
both in tension (lower part of the specimen during the test) and in compression (upper edge of the
material during the test). In a material such as concrete, it is very important to test a wider area of
the sample, since concrete may have inconsistent material properties due to its sensitivity in the
manufacturing and laying process [2].

Figure 1: 3-point and 4-point bending test [3].

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 Preparing the analysis 10

1.2.3 ABAQUS as FEM software

ABAQUS is a suite of powerful engineering simulation programs, based on the finite element
method, that can solve problems ranging from relatively simple linear analyses to the most
challenging nonlinear simulations. ABAQUS contains an extensive library of elements that can
model virtually any geometry. It has an equally extensive list of material models that can simulate
the behavior of most typical engineering materials including metals, rubber, polymers, composites,
reinforced concrete, crushable and resilient foams, and geotechnical materials such as soils and
rock. Designed as a general-purpose simulation tool, ABAQUS can be used to study more than just
structural (stress/displacement) problems. It can simulate problems in such diverse areas as heat
transfer, mass diffusion, thermal management of electrical components (coupled thermal-electrical
analyses), acoustics, soil mechanics (coupled pore fluid-stress analyses), and piezoelectric
analysis. ABAQUS offers a wide range of capabilities for simulation of linear and nonlinear
applications. Problems with multiple components are modeled by associating the geometry
defining each component with the appropriate material models and specifying component
interactions. In a nonlinear analysis ABAQUS automatically chooses appropriate load increments
and convergence tolerances and continually adjusts them during the analysis to ensure that an
accurate solution is obtained efficiently.

1.2.3.1 The Abaqus products

Abaqus consists of two main analysis products—Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit [4].

There are also four special-purpose add-on analysis products for Abaqus/Standard—Abaqus/Aqua,
Abaqus/Design, Abaqus/AMS, and Abaqus/Foundation. Abaqus/CAE is the complete Abaqus
environment that includes capabilities for creating Abaqus models, interactively submitting and
monitoring Abaqus jobs, and evaluating results. Abaqus/Viewer is a subset of Abaqus/CAE that
includes just the postprocessing functionality. In addition, the Abaqus Interface for Moldflow and
the Abaqus Interface for MSC.ADAMS are interfaces to Moldflow and ADAMS/Flex,
respectively. Abaqus also provides translators that convert geometry from third-party CAD
systems to models for Abaqus/CAE, convert entities from third-party preprocessors to input for
Abaqus analyses, and that convert output from Abaqus analyses to entities for third-party
postprocessors. The relationship between these products is shown in Figure 2.

Abaqus/Standard

Abaqus/Standard is a general-purpose analysis product that can solve a wide range of linear
and nonlinear problems involving the static, dynamic, thermal, and electrical response of
components. This product is discussed in detail in this guide. Abaqus/Standard solves a system of
equations implicitly at each solution “increment.” In contrast, Abaqus/Explicit marches a solution
forward through time in small time increments without solving a coupled system of equations at
each increment (or even forming a global stiffness matrix).

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Preparing the analysis 11

Figure 2: Abaqus products [4].

Abaqus/Explicit

Abaqus/Explicit is a special-purpose analysis product that uses an explicit dynamic finite

element formulation. It is suitable for modeling brief, transient dynamic events, such as impact and
blast problems, and is also very efficient for highly nonlinear problems involving changing contact
conditions, such as forming simulations.

Abaqus/CAE

Abaqus/CAE (Complete Abaqus Environment) is an interactive, graphical environment for

Abaqus. It allows models to be created quickly and easily by producing or importing the geometry
of the structure to be analyzed and decomposing the geometry into meshable regions. Physical and
material properties can be assigned to the geometry, together with loads and boundary conditions.
Abaqus/CAE contains very powerful options to mesh the geometry and to verify the resulting
analysis model. Once the model is complete, Abaqus/CAE can submit, monitor, and control the
analysis jobs. The Visualization module can then be used to interpret the results.

Abaqus/Viewer

Abaqus/Viewer is a subset of Abaqus/CAE that contains only the postprocessing capabilities

of the Visualization module. The discussions of the Visualization module in this guide apply
equally to Abaqus/Viewer.

Abaqus/Aqua

Abaqus/Aqua is a set of optional capabilities that can be added to Abaqus/Standard. It is

intended for the simulation of offshore structures, such as oil platforms. Some of the optional
Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Preparing the analysis 12

capabilities include the effects of wave and wind loading and buoyancy.

Abaqus/Design

Abaqus/Design is a set of optional capabilities that can be added to Abaqus/Standard to

perform design sensitivity calculations.

Abaqus/AMS

Abaqus/AMS is an optional capability that can be added to Abaqus/Standard. It uses the

automatic multi-level substructuring (AMS) eigensolver during a natural frequency extraction.

Abaqus/Foundation

Abaqus/Foundation offers more efficient access to the linear static and dynamic analysis
functionality in Abaqus/Standard.

1.2.4 Outline

In this project work the version of ABAQUS/CAE 2020 was used to model the concrete
cylinder and the reinforced concrete slab.
The laboratory tests of concrete cylinders and concrete slabs were carried out at Technical
University of Dresden to determine the nonlinear stress–strain relationship for concrete. This
relationship was used to confirm the numerical model of the concrete cylinders subjected to
compression. After confirming the results, parameters obtained from the test were used to model
the reinforced concrete slab. In this project work, concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model was
used to reflect the behavior of the concrete.

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 Preparing the analysis 13

2 Preparing the analysis

2.1 Geometry
2.1.1 Geometry of cylinder

The strength parameters of the concrete used in the composite slab were obtained from
cylinder specimen (ϕ = 150 mm, l = 300 mm). The 6 experimental tests of cylinders were
conducted in the laboratory of the Institute of Concrete Structures of the Technical University of
Dresden. The compressive cubic strength fc was evaluated on the basis of 6 specimens in
accordance to the principles set out in the standard [5]. Based on experimental tests compressive
stress-strain diagrams were obtained (see Fig. 10).
The measured average values of the concrete strength parameters are presented in Table 1.

Property Value

Young’s modulus Ec [MPa] 38 200

Length of cylinder l 300

Diameter of cylinder d 150

Density ρ [kg/cm³] 2.42

Compressive strength fc [MPa] 66.60

Table 1: The parameters of concrete used in the experimental test.

2.1.2 Geometry of slab

Experiment tests are carried out by on a slab of 3300 x 500 x120 mm of C50/60 grade
concrete for plain, under, over reinforced sections in the Otto Mohr Laboratory of the Institute of
Concrete Structures of the Technical University of Dresden. It was done by Robert Zobel und
Alexander Schumann and the name of research project is C3-V1.2 – Verification and testing
concepts for standards and approvals. C3-V1.2 project it is the part of C3-project that aimed at
studying carbon reinforced concrete [6].
The drawings of the geometry are presented below in Figures 3-5. As we can see on the cross
sections of the slab (respectively with Figure 4) in Figure 5 below, the bearing reinforcement was
provided mostly in lower/tensile regions of the slab, to bear tensile loads. The used diameters of
rebars are Ø6 mm and Ø8 mm. Test of a RC slab was done in the 10-MN-testing machine (see Fig.
22). The highlighted locations of measurement devices IWA 1-6 (isentropic wave analysis which
measure displacements) and IWA 10-13 (isentropic wave analysis which measure elongations) are
shown in Fig 3. It was monitored and measured by software HBM CATMAN.

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 Preparing the analysis 14

Figure 3: Slab profile [7].

Figure 4: Beam cross-section [7].

Figure 5: Stirrups profile [7].

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 Preparing the analysis 15

2.2 Material models

2.2.1 ABAQUS Damaged Plasticity Model

ABAQUS software provides the capability of simulating the damage using either of the three
crack models for reinforced concrete elements: Smeared crack concrete model, Brittle crack
concrete model, and Concrete damaged plasticity model. Out of the three concrete crack models,
the concrete damaged plasticity model is selected in the present study as this technique has the
potential to represent complete inelastic behavior of concrete both in tension and compression
including damage characteristics. Development of a proper damage simulation model using the
concrete damaged plasticity model will be useful for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures
under any loading combinations including both static and dynamic loading. The concrete damaged
plasticity model assumes that the two main failure mechanisms in concrete are the tensile cracking
and the compressive crushing [8].
In this model, the uniaxial tensile and compressive behavior is characterized by damaged
plasticity.

2.2.2 Tension Stiffening Relationship

In order to simulate the complete tensile behavior of reinforced concrete in ABAQUS, a post
failure stress-strain relationship for concrete subjected to tension (similar to Fig. 6) is used which
accounts for tension stiffening, strain-softening, and reinforcement (RF) interaction with concrete.
To develop this model, user should input Young’s modulus (𝐸0 ), stress (𝜎𝑡 ), cracking strain (𝜀𝑡𝑐𝑘 )
values and the damage parameter values ( 𝑑𝑡 ) for the relevant grade of concrete. The cracking
strain ( 𝜀𝑡𝑐𝑘 ) should be calculated from the total strain using (1) below:

𝜀𝑡𝑐𝑘 = 𝜀𝑡 − 𝜀𝑜𝑡
𝑒𝑙
(1)

𝑒𝑙
Where, 𝜀𝑜𝑡 = 𝜎𝑡 /𝐸0 , the Elastic strain corresponding to the undamaged material, 𝜀𝑡 = total
tensile strain. ƒct tensile strength of the concrete was adopted from [9].

Figure 6: Terms for Tension Stiffening Model [8].

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 ABAQS Analysis 16

𝑝𝑙
ABAQUS checks the accuracy of damage curve using the plastic strain values (𝜀𝑡 )
calculated as in (2) below. Negative and/or decreasing tensile plastic strain values are indicative of
incorrect damage curves which may lead to generate error massage before the analysis is
performed [8].
𝑝𝑙 𝑑𝑡 𝜎𝑡
𝜀𝑡 = 𝜀𝑡𝑐𝑘 − (2)
(1−𝑑𝑡 ) 𝐸0

In the ABAQUS program cracking strain calculated from Eq. (1) were used and shown in
the Table 4.

2.2.3 Compressive Stress-Strain Relationship

To define the stress-strain relation of concrete, user needs to enter the stresses (𝜎𝑡 ), inelastic
strains (𝜀𝑡𝑖𝑛 ) corresponds to stress values, and damage properties ( 𝑑𝑐 ) with inelastic strains in
tabular format. Therefore, total strain values should be converted to the inelastic strains using (3):

𝜀𝑐𝑖𝑛 = 𝜀𝑐 − 𝜀𝑜𝑐
𝑒𝑙
( 3)
𝑒𝑙 𝑒𝑙
where, 𝜀𝑜𝑐 = 𝜎𝑐 /𝐸0 , 𝜀𝑜𝑐 = elastic strain corresponding to the undamaged material and
𝜀𝑐 = total tensile strain. Further, corrective measures should be taken to ensure that the plastic
𝑝𝑙
strain values (𝜀𝑐 ) calculated using (4) are neither negative nor decreasing with increased stresses
[8].

𝑝𝑙 𝑑𝑐 𝜎𝑐
𝜀𝑐 = 𝜀𝑐𝑖𝑛 − (4)
(1−𝑑𝑐 ) 𝐸0

Typical compressive stress-strain relationship with damage properties and terms are illustrated
in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Terms for Compressive Stress-Strain Relationship [8].

In case of compression, inelastic strain values calculated from Eq. (3) were used and shown in
the Table 3.

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 ABAQS Analysis 17

2.2.4 Other Material Properties

2.2.4.1 Damage Parameters

The tensile damage parameter, dt is defined as the ratio of the cracking strain to the total
strain. Similarly, the compressive damage parameter, dc is defined as the ratio between the
inelastic strain and total strain.
The damage variables can take values from zero, representing the undamaged material, to one,
which represents total loss of strength.
These damage parameters presented in Table 3 and 4 accordingly.

2.2.4.2 Dilation angle and Eccentricity

The plastic region of concrete material in CDP used two input parameters, dilation angle (ψ),
and eccentricity (є) as shown in Fig. 8-b. Due to the dilation angle’s value is in the range of 5° to
42° for traditional concrete and in this study the value of dilation angle is 31° and it was taken
from [11]. The default value of eccentricity є=0.1.

Figure 8: CDP’s (a) yield surface and (b) flow rule [10].

2.2.4.3 Shape parameter, the stress ratio and viscosity parameter

Shape parameter, Kc, represents the constant of second stress for tension and compression
ratio at the same hydrostatic stress and must be 0.5≤Kc≤1 (default Kc value is 2/3), see Fig. 8-a
[10]. The stress ratio, the ratio of biaxial to uniaxial compressive strengths fb0/fc0, should be
defined in CDP (fb0/fc0=1.16 as default) [10].
Value of the viscosity parameter can be defined as part of the concrete damaged plasticity
material behavior definition. Taking a small value for the viscosity parameter, small adequate
compared to the characteristic time increment, usually contributes to improve the rate of
convergence of the model in the softening regime, without compromising numerical results. For
this study the value of viscosity parameter is 0.001 and was taken from [11].

Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 ABAQS Analysis 18

3 ABAQUS Analysis
3.1 Material modelling of concrete
3.1.1 Numerical model

The numerical model of the concrete cylinder subjected to compression was prepared in the
ABAQUS program. The model consisted of a concrete cylinder and a steel plate. The steel was
model as an elastic material (Es = 210 GPa, ν = 0.3). The parameters of the concrete used in the
numerical analyses are obtained as specified in Section 2.2.1 and presented in Tables 2–4.

Property Value

Young’s modulus Ec [MPa] 38 200

Poisson’s ratio ν [-] 0.19

Compressive strength fc [MPa] 62.41

Tensile strength fct [MPa] 4.61

Dilatation angle [ψ°] 31

Eccentricity є [-] 0.1

fb0/fc0 [-] 1.16

Parameter Kc [-] 0.667

Viscosity parameter µ 0.001

Table 2: The parameters of concrete used in the numerical simulation.

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 ABAQS Analysis 19

Figure 9: The parameters of concrete used in the numerical simulation

The tensile and compressive stress was calculated using the formulas that presented in
“Material models” section and parameters of the concrete obtained from experimental tests (see
Fig. 9). The load type that was applied is uniform constant velocity of 15 mm at the one end of
cylinder. Bottom surface of the cylinder is completely fixed and top surface laterally constrained
and allowed to move vertically when the load is applied. The C3D8R elements are used to prepare
concrete cylinder model.

Concrete compression hardening Concrete compression damage

Stress Inelastic strain Dc Inelastic strain
[MPa] [-] [-] [-]
27.14 0.0 0.0 0.0

49.25 0.00010655 0.0 0.00010655

51.86 0.00013648 0.0 0.00013648

54.28 0.00017155 0.0 0.00017155

56.48 0.00021250 0.0 0.00021250

58.43 0.00026020 0.0 0.00026020

59.09 0.00031572 0.0 0.00031572

60.41 0.00038037 0.0 0.00038037

61.33 0.00045575 0.0 0.00045575

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 ABAQS Analysis 20

62.41 0.00059349 0.0 0.00059349

61.65 0.00064730 0.002 0.00064730

60.83 0.00076929 0.016 0.00076929

59.15 0.00091414 0.043 0.00091414

57.41 0.00108756 0.087 0.00108756

53.32 0.00129733 0.153 0.00129733

47.47 0.00155435 0.248 0.00155435

39.27 0.00187438 0.381 0.00187438

34.02 0.00206496 0.466 0.00206496

27.82 0.00228101 0.566 0.00228101

19.58 0.00252762 0.685 0.00252762

10.87 0.00281133 0.826 0.00281133

0.36 0.00314071 0.994 0.00314071

Table 3. Material parameters used in the CDP model for the concrete subjected to compression.

Concrete compression hardening Concrete compression damage

Stress Inelastic strain Dc Inelastic strain
[MPa] [-] [-] [-]
4.61 0 0 0

3.219224 0.0001121 0.05360 0.0001121

2.825008 0.0001748 0.07284 0.0001748

2.448921 0.0002338 0.08648 0.0002338

2.206381 0.0002906 0.09673 0.0002906

2.008599 0.0003459 0.10475 0.0003459

1.134254 0.0008693 0.14430 0.0008693

1.091756 0.0009205 0.17608 0.0009205

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 ABAQS Analysis 21

1.052899 0.0009715 0.20514 0.0009715

0.925546 0.0011749 0.30037 0.0011749

0.790255 0.0014785 0.40155 0.0014785

0.704371 0.0017811 0.47325 0.0017811

0.59251 0.0022338 0.54943 0.0022338

0.484445 0.0028865 0.62276 0.0028865

0.301483 0.0060419 0.77454 0.0060419

0.215641 0.0104445 0.84622 0.0104445

0.107348 0.0264471 0.91972 0.0264471

0.042517 0.0734486 0.96073 0.0734486

Table 4: Material parameters used in the CDP model for the concrete subjected to tension.
The result shows that tested cylinders can withstand higher stresses than the numerical model
(see Fig 10). The failure mode of the cylinder is shear and cone. It can be seen in Fig. 11. The
stress-strain relationship from the FE analysis corresponds to the stress-strain relationship observed
in the experiment.

80
Probekörper - C50/60

60
Stress [N/mm²]

PK 2-2

40 Concrete damaged
plasticity (ABAQUS)
PK 1-1

20 PK 2-3

PK 2-1

0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
Strain [‰]

Figure 10: The nonlinear stress–strain relationships obtained from the FE analysis and the
laboratory tests [13].
Tangirbergen Zaidolla
 ABAQS Analysis 22

Figure 11: Failure mechanism of the concrete cylinder in the FEA.

In the Figure 11 shown the damage areas from compression and tension.
By comparing the stress-strain relationship obtained from laboratory tests and numerical
analysis of the concrete cylinder, we can use the same parameters to model the concrete in the
numerical analysis of the RC slab.

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 ABAQS Analysis 23

3.2 ABAQUS nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete

Preparing the analysis

3.2.1 Defining Engineering data

This section of the report is focused on how the steel was modelled using ABAQUS. In
ABAQUS, reinforcement can be modeled with different methods including smeared reinforcement
in the concrete, cohesive element method, discrete truss or beam elements with the embedded
region constraint or built-in rebar layers [8]. Truss element with embedded region modelling is a
common way of reinforcement modeling of which the only required input is the cross-sectional
area of bars and it was used for this study. Other methods require a large number of input
parameters and consequently a high computational effort.
For the current project an idealized linear-elastic perfectly-plastic behavior for the steel bars is
considered according to EN1992-1-1 see Figure 13 [12]. Steel of class BSt 500 S has been selected
and this has a yielding strength of 500 MPa and the considered material parameters can be found in
Table 5.
The steel reinforcement is modelled in the use of a 3D deformable truss element (T3D2)
which can be seen in Figure 12. For the truss type, cross-section areas implemented in ABAQUS
are 50.3 and 28.26 mm2 respectively. Cross-section of the slab can be seen in the Section 2.1.2.

Property Value Units

Density 7820 kg m-3

Young’s modulus 2.1E+5 MPa

Poisson’s Ratio 0.3

Tensile Yield Strength fyk 500 MPa

Plastic strain ɛpl 0

Table 5. Steel properties.

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 ABAQS Analysis 24

Figure 12: Wire steel bars.

Figure 13: Idealized behaviour for steel in both tension and compression [12].

3.2.2 Geometry
This slab is 3300mm long, with a section of 120mm×500 mm. the concrete strength is C50. In
ABAQUS, the concrete adopted C3D8R element and the reinforced used T3D2 element. It was
embedded reinforced in concrete element to simulate the bonding relationship between the reinforced
and concrete. In case of stress concentration in beam loading surface and supports when we apply the
load on the beam, we set steel gasket in the acting position of the force and supports to increase the
contact area and stiffness.
Figure 14 below shows the finished drawing of the slab.

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 ABAQS Analysis 25

Figure 14: Slab geometry

3.2.3 Connections and contact regions

Abaqus provides more than one approach for defining contact. Abaqus/Standard includes the
following approaches for defining contact:
 general contact;
 contact pairs; and
 contact elements.
Abaqus/Explicit includes the following approaches for defining contact:
 general contact; and
 contact pairs.
Each approach has somewhat unique advantages and limitations.
The remainder of this section is organized as follows:
 first, discuss common aspects of the surface-based contact-definition approaches (i.e.,
contact pairs and general contact);
 next, provide an overview of the contact definition approaches in Abaqus/Standard and the
contact definition approaches in Abaqus/Explicit;
 finally, discuss compatibility between the contact algorithms
in Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit.
A contact simulation using contact pairs or general contact is defined by specifying:
 surface definitions for the bodies that could potentially be in contact;
 the surfaces that interact with one another (the contact interactions);

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 ABAQS Analysis 26

 any nondefault surface properties to be considered in the contact interactions;

 the mechanical and thermal contact property models, such as the pressure-overclosure
relationship, the friction coefficient, or the contact conduction coefficient;
 any nondefault aspects of the contact formulation; and
 any algorithmic contact controls for the analysis.
In many cases you do not need to explicitly specify many of the aspects listed above because the
default settings are usually appropriate [4].
In this project work Surface-to-surface contact and friction (Friction coefficient = 0.1) were
used (see Fig. 15).

Figure 15: Interaction between parts.

3.2.4 Mesh

ABAQUS can use a variety of meshing techniques to mesh models of different topologies. In
some cases you can choose the technique used to mesh a model or model region. In other cases
only one technique is valid. The different meshing techniques provide varying levels of automation
and user control. However, to keep things consistent among the three programs used, the mesh is
set to “Regular”, with the maximum element size of 25mm and with the mesh type hexahedral (8
nodes) solid cubes C3D8R which has one integration point and can be seen in Figure 16. The steel
reinforcement is meshed in T3D2 elements. When meshing the slab, it is important that the nodes
of the concrete intersect with those of the steel.

Figure 16. C3D8R hexahedral element [8].

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 ABAQS Analysis 27

Structured meshing gives you the most control over your mesh because it applies
preestablished mesh patterns to particular model topologies. Most unpartitioned solid models are
too complex to be meshed using preestablished mesh patterns. However, you can often partition
complex models into simple regions with topologies for which structured meshing patterns exist.
A higher discretization can lead to better results while a weaker one can save computational
time which lead to the fact that a compromise must be made between the two. In this study
different values of meshing were used. Meshing value of 50 mm did not give me the accurate
results and computational time of the value 10 mm was too long. So, in terms of calculation time
and accuracy 25mm value was the optimal.
The meshing is presented in Figures 17.

Figure 17: Mesh for concrete slab.

3.2.5 Loads and supports

Loads are applied to the two faces of the impactors, with a maximum value of 70mm
displacement at the last load step. The impactors are fixed in the X and Z directions and are free
to move in the Y-direction in order to avoid surface slip. It is important to divide the load in
multiple steps and allow a large number of load steps or time sub-steps to avoid Force
Convergence issues.
The boundary conditions for the slab are located 150mm away from each side (see Fig. 18);
one support is fixed in all three directions, and the second is only fixed in the Y and Z directions.
The type of boundary conditions is nodal displacement.

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 ABAQS Analysis 28

Figure 18: Loading for concrete slab.

3.2.6 Creating analysis job.

In order to solve any type of finite element problem, the relevant job analysis should be
established. After this stage the extracted answers is visualized analytically and graphically.
When you submit a job associated with a model for analysis, ABAQUS/CAE first generates an
input file representing your model and then ABAQUS/Standard or ABAQUS/Explicit performs the
analysis using the contents of this file. Alternatively, you can ask ABAQUS/CAE to generate only
the input file; ABAQUS/CAE writes the input file in .odb format, and you can view and edit it in
your working directory [8].

The creation of job analysis is presented in Figure 19.

Figure 19: Job analysis

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 ABAQS Analysis 29

4 Results
4.1 Analysis of results
This section of the report presents data from ABAQUS/CAE. Results comparison is shown in
a later section of the report. Here stress and strain distribution will be shown.

Figure 20: Deflection.

The maximum deflection of the beam is at the middle and highlighted by red color. Minimal
deflections are at the point of the supports. Deformation is presented in true scale.

Figure 21: Tensile damage.

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 ABAQS Analysis 30

Figure 22: Crack propagation in Experiment PK 1-1 [7].

Damage occurrences at the ultimate level for both experimental and numerical studies are
displayed in Figures 21 and 22 in terms of tensile damage (DAMAGET) respectively. As it is
shown, there is no cracks in the compression zone of the plate at the top. Crack propagation at the
bottom in vertical direction in tensile region where the bending moment is maximum and shear
forces considered to be zero.

Figure 23: Plastic strains.

The Figure 23 presents plastic strain in the beam. This region represents the area of crack
formation, but does not show the exact crack pattern. Plastic strain distribution is sensitive to the
boundary conditions, as plastic stains show the highest values at the supports or force application
points.

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 ABAQS Analysis 31

Figure 24: Stress in steel.

In Figure 24 above the behaviour of the reinforcement is performed, right before breakage of
the slab. The peak axial forces appear in rebars right along the cracks in the concrete and then it is
distributed along the length of rebars.
It can be also denoted, that there are almost neither stresses nor strains appear on the sides of
the slab and very insignificant stresses in upper reinforcement bars under upper loading plates.
The stress distribution in steel clearly shows the members in tension and compression (red in
tension, navy blue in compression). The defined ultimate stress of steel is assumed to be 540MPa.
Therefore, the failure load of the beam is taken at the load step when a steel member reaches its
ultimate strength.
Displacement applied (mm) 70

First plastic deformation (cracks kN) 10.4

Steel yield (kN) 18.3

Table 6. Tabular data
The results show the deformed state of the slab. As mentioned earlier, only plastic regions
where cracks are formed are shown by ABAQUS, not the exact formation of the cracks. The stress
distribution in steel clearly shows the tensile forces at the bottom.

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 ABAQS Analysis 32

4.2 Comparison with experiment

First of all, the measurements of the following experiments have to be introduced. Figure 25
represents the relation of IWA 3 versus applied load for three comparatively equal experiments
PK1-1, PK1-2 and PK1-3.

22
20
PK1_1
18
16 PK1_2
14 PK1_3
Load, kN

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
IWA 3/4, mm
Figure 25: Force-Deflection comparison [13].
Figure 26 shows Force-Deflection curves for experiment and ABAQUS/CAE results. The
calculation stops when the deflection reaches 70mm. The non-linear behavior of both steel and
concrete are achieved. Regarding Figure 26 the RC slab behaves almost linearly during the loading
(insignificant yielding of the concrete appears) until first cracks start to propagate. Right after that,
some non-linearity appears which is caused by both softening of the concrete (short and flat
region) and partial yielding initiation in individual reinforcement members in opened cracks. When
most of the reinforcement members yield, we achieve completely plastic behaviour of the slab (the
rest flat region), which is already mostly dependable on reinforcement properties.
ABAQUS do not provide any information as to the post-failure behaviour of the beam.

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 ABAQS Analysis 33

22
20 Deflection
18 IWA 3
(Experiment)
16
14 ABAQUS
Load, kN

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
IWA 3/4, mm

Figure 26: Force-Deflection comparison in the middle of the plate. Load vs IWA ¾ [13].

In order to carry out analysis and comparison between numerical simulation and test results
conveniently, we use ABAQUS to apply the load step by step, calculating the result, getting the
data of mid-span deflection and drawing the graph.
In this failure, it can be seen that ABAQUS can be basically consistent with the actual test
results, but there are also differences between the values calculated by the analysis and the test.
The reason may be the following:
In Finite Element Analysis, bond between concrete and steel is processed using the Embedded
Technology, effectively simplifying the modeling, but it cannot be achieved with the increased
load of reinforced concrete and changing nature of the friction moment, especially reinforced slip
simulation. This can easily lead to distorted results.
In short, finite element analysis simulation test of reinforced concrete has a high degree of
similarity with actual situation: despite some differences, the finite element method for nonlinear
analysis of slab test is feasible.

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 Conclusion 34

5. Conclusion
This paper presents a material model which can be used to simulate the non-linear behaviour
of reinforced concrete elements. The material model needs only the maximum compressive
strength of the concrete. Necessary modifications techniques are applicable with ABAQUS
damaged plasticity model to simulate damage in RC structures. Result section indicates that
displacement obtained from FEM are matched with the experiment results.
The CDP can be used to model the behaviour of concrete and the reinforced concrete
structures and the other pre-stressed concrete structures in advanced states of loadings.
Finite element software ABAQUS is effective enough, but how to get exacter results deserves
further exploration. However, in terms of FEM simulation output, results are quite accurate for
engineering application and very consistent.
In terms of the engineering practice there are no FEM codes to obtain the common material
parameters and this might lead to inconsistent results so FEM codes and guidelines for sensitivity
analysis need to be provided.

5.1 Further work

To explore this topic further, several things can be altered. Firstly, the obtained results from
ABAQUS/CAE should be compared against results of the same beam with the same material
parameters in a laboratory setting. The composition of the material should be known. This would
allow the evaluation of the results with real word data.
There are several mathematical models for the modelling of concrete available in ABAQUS,
and only the concrete damaged plasticity model was used. Comparing the results using different
material models could show which mathematical model and which FEM software program is the
best to use in a given situation.

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References 35

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[4] Dassault Systemes, Getting Started with Abaqus (2020).

[5] EN 12390-3:2011, Testing hardened concrete – Part 3: Compressive strength of test

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[6] S. Scheerer, Development and review of design and safety concepts for carbon concrete
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