Nonlinear Finite Element Modeling and Parametric

Studies on Reinforced and Unbonded Partially

Prestressed Concrete Beams

Ph.D. Thesis Viva Examiner Questions and Answers

PANDIMANI

(Regd. No. 15022P0121)

 EXAMINER 1
Question 1: The load-deflection curves of half and full-size models are different from that of the
quarter-beam model. What could be the reason?

Reply: The half-beam models and full-beam models exhibit similar profile of load-deflection
curves in this study, but there is a small variation in the load-deflection curve beyond the
yielding point. The reason could be due to the size (magnitude) of each load increment and the
number of sub-steps applied to the numerical models. However, due to the high nonlinearity of
concrete elements beyond the yielding point, the magnitude of the load-step and sub-step are
varied to overcome the divergence of the solution. Hence, due to this variation in the magnitude
of load application beyond the yield point, the load defection of these models exhibits a slight
variation in the behavior.

Question 2: Bond slip is a common factor assumed to cause deviations between experimental
and numerical RC models. Your work captured that the bond-slip effect helped to get more
accurate beam ductility (deflection) results but didn’t help much in capturing more accurate yield
and ultimate loads. Provide more insight into the possible reasons for the variations between the
experimental beams and ANSYS beam models.

Reply: Compared to the experimental results, a 12% difference is observed for yield and
ultimate loads in the FE analysis, which is probably due to the incorporation of assumed
mathematical stress-strain laws (idealized), bond-slip law, and failure parameters considered
instead of the measured experimental data. This is also because of the magnitude of load
increments at each load step in numerical analysis are different from that of the experimental
one.

Question 3: Based on your study, what are the advantages and disadvantages of unbonded
partially prestressed concrete beams over unbonded fully prestressed concrete beams?

Reply: Advantages

 In the case of unbonded partially prestressed concrete beams (UPPCB), we can limit the
degree of prestressing force, and thereby uniform camber can be achieved which gives a
 comfortable ride to the passengers. In contrast to this, in the case of unbonded fully
prestressed concrete beams (UFPCB), non-uniform camber prevails due to huge effective
prestressing.
 In the case of UPPCB, in addition to the prestressed tendon, a considerable proportion of
conventional reinforcement is generally used to limit the width of cracks developed under
service load. Since crack is permitted in the design, a desired prestressing force can be
maintained. In contrast to this, no tensile stress or cracks are permitted in UFPCB and the
beam is reinforced with prestressing tendon alone. Hence more prestressing force is
required to resist the external loads.
 In the case of UPPCB, the conventional reinforcement resists the differential shrinkage,
temperature, and creep stresses. Hence this reinforcement can cater to the serviceability
requirements, such as control of cracking (several cracks with less crack width), and
partially for the ultimate limit state of collapse which can result in a considerable
reduction in the costlier high tensile steel. There is a saving in the cost of the overall
structure for UPPCB in comparison to UFPCB.
 Due to the presence of non-prestressed steel bars, the ductility of UPPCB is superior to
the UFPCB. The UPPCB performs better than UFPCB under earthquake forces.
Unbonded partially prestressing can be used for strengthening and repairing existing
structures.
 The UPPCB exhibits beam action whereas the UFPCB behaves like a tied arch. Hence
the failure of UPPCB will be ductile in contrast to the UFPCB which exhibits brittle
failure.

Disadvantages

 Due to limiting prestressing, the cracking moment of the UPPCB beam is lower than the
UFPCB. Therefore, the pre-crack stiffness of UFPCB is higher than that of UPPCB.
 Since cracking is allowed, the serviceability of UPPCB is less compared to the UFPCB.
 Under the applied load, the stress increment in the tendon beyond the effective prestress
is more in UPPCB compared to the UFPCB.
 EXAMINER 2
Critical comments made by the Examine 2 in the thesis evaluation report

The nonlinear FE model is developed using database from ANSYS software. Elements chosen
are already available and being used in the past literature works. The nonlinearity in the model is
being introduced by incorporating the already existing models in the literature.

Clarifications to the critical comments of Examiner 2 area as follows

The numerical model is developed by incorporating material, geometrical, and contact

nonlinearities that defines a response similar to that of the experimental results from literature.
The model is developed with incorporating the tension softening effect and Newton-Raphson
iteration method for nonlinear solutions. The FE model is verified for mesh convergence study
that reflects the nonlinear solution and the numerical results. It also demonstrates the beam
symmetry study that confirms the similarity of results for half, full, and quarter-beam models. It
also clarifies the time duration and disk space consumed for the respective models.

However, from the part literature review, it was found that most of the researchers have validated
their experimentally tested beams with the proposed numerical or analytical models by assuming
complete bond (without slip action) at the steel-concrete interface, and only a quarter beam
models result is verified against the full-length experimental beam. In contrast, our developed
model has incorporated bond-slip constitutive models based on CEP-FIB 2010 code which
predicts a closer result and justifies the results with all necessary checks.

The scholar agrees that researchers have done a lot of work in the past on fully post-tensioned
and partially pretesioned concrete beams under static loadings. Several experimental studies are
available in the literature on the flexural behavior of Reinforced Concrete (RC) and Unbonded
Partially Prestressed Concrete Beams (UPPCB). However, only a few numerical simulations
works with parametric studies are available in the literature for UPPCB. But through
experimental studies, it is not possible to identify the exact yielding of non-prestressed steel bars
as well as the magnitude of stress in the unbonded prestressed tendon at failure. Whereas, the
developed model presented in this thesis is capable of predicting these behavior with high
accuracy and providing a superior understanding of the nonlinear behavior of RC and UPPCB.

The Thorenfeldts stress-strain model for concrete in compression that is applicable for concrete
grade up to 120MPa is adopted for developing the FE model for UPPCB. Consideration of this
model is rarely observed in the literature. This model has been chosen after comparing with other
similar models existing in the literature. The concise demonstration of the unbonded tendon
modeling and the prestress effect to the FE model, mess density effect, boundary symmetry
effect, and support boundary condition are well documented in this research work. These aspects
have not been observed by the scholar in the review of literature. The predicted ultimate moment
capacity of the numerical model is also verified with the ACI 318-19 code provision to verify the
numerical results.

Furthermore, the Indian standard code of practice for prestressed concrete beams (IS 1343: 2012)
does not include the design and analysis concepts of unbonded partially prestressed (post-
tensioned) concrete beams. The developed FE models can contribute a lot in the development of
design guidelines and recommendations to revised the IS 1343: 2012 code. Very few
experimental works are available for the UPPCB beams in the literature from the Indian
contributions. Hence, the proposed model is a direct platform to adapt and understand the
modeling aspect as well as the complete nonlinear behavior of UPPCB for the research scholars
working in this domain. Moreover, a complete FE modeling approach incorporating all the above
discussed aspects rarely exist in the past literature, particularly for UPPCB. Therefore the scholar
is of the opinion that our proposed ANSYS FE models are reasonably novel and this reasonably
justifies the novelty of the research work undertaken.

Question 1: Novelty of thesis work needs to be justified with reference to existing literature

Reply: A few literatures are available for the numerical modeling aspect and to comprehensively
evaluate the nonlinear flexural response of UPPCB, especially from the Indian research
contribution. In the existing literature, there is a gap regarding the FE modeling techniques done
in this study and that of UPPCB. In spite of rigorous search, no published technical article is
found till date that provides comprehensive modeling information. Therefore, to fulfill this gap,
an effort is made in this research work for developing the FE model incorporating all these gaps.
In addition to this, various intensive parameters investigated in this study provide complete
knowledge about the FE modeling approach and provide a better understanding of the nonlinear
behavior of RC as well as UPPCB. Moreover a complete FE modeling approach incorporating
all the above discussed aspects rarely exist in the past literature, particularly for UPPCB.

Mapping: To justify the above statement regarding the novelty work undertaken in this research
work; a clear explanation is presented in page number 89 and 120 of the thesis report.

Question 2: In objectives, the first two objectives need not be considered separate objectives.
Hence, I suggest reframing the objective appropriately.

Reply: Based on the reviewer's comment, the objectives are reframed and modified in the thesis
accordingly.

Mapping: The first two objectives of this thesis report are merged into single and is avail in
page number 11.

Question 3: How the author's FE is different from the existing models? Can the author give clear
distinction by solving a simple beam problem?

Reply: The developed ANSYS numerical model in this thesis shows many aspects of UPPCB
and RC beams for analyzing flexural behavior under various influencing factors. The developed
model was deliberately incorporated with the bond-slip model for RC beams based on the CEB-
FIP 2010 code. The developed FE model incorporated with the Thorenfeldts constitutive
multilinear isotropic stress-strain curve that can be used for HSC beams up to 120 MPa concrete
grades. This model was adopted after comparing it with other commonly adopted models
developed by earlier researchers. This is rarely adopted by the earlier researchers. The numerical
study presents a model including the prestressing effect, unbonded tendon condition, and mesh
sensitivity analysis that is rare in the literature. Hence, the proposed FE model in this thesis is
comprised of all the above said factors and the predicted results that are validated with the results
of experimentally tested beams available in the literature. This is already well demonstrated in
this thesis for UPPCB and RC beams. Further, for some models, the ANSYS results are
compared with the calculated values as per ACI code. Hence, solving again a simple problem is
not further required to validate the proposed FE model presented in this thesis.

Mapping: The explanation to the above query is avail in page number 36 of this thesis report.

Question 4: What are the author’s novel contributions to developing the FE model? How does
this mode perform in comparison to the existing model?

Reply: The modeling procedures presented for the bond-slip effect (based on the CEP-FIB code
model) of RC beams in this thesis have not been researched widely. The contributions of this
thesis regarding the FE modeling of RC and prestressed concrete beams have many applications
in structural engineering. The proposed numerical model accurately predicts the nonlinear
behavior of RC and prestressed concrete beams under various influencing design parameters and
thus provides worthy information and complete knowledge compared to the existing models.

Mapping: The answer to the above question is avail in page number 32-36 of the thesis.

Question 5: Are the considered parameters not being explored in the past literature?

Reply: Very few analytical or numerical works are avail in the literature that demonstrates the
responses of UPPCB beams under static loadings. In most cases, the numerical or analytical
model is developed without considering the bond-slip effect and do not develop the full beam
model for validation. It is also found from the literature review that most of the developed
models are not validated for mesh convergence study, which impacts the nonlinear solution and
the analysis results. The influence of the span-depth ratio under different loading conditions is
not concluded properly in past studies. As per the author’s knowledge, no paper in the existing
literature demonstrates the complete modeling aspects and application of prestressing effect with
the unbonded tendon. Hence these gaps are considered in this research work to bridge the gaps in
the literature review and the numerical results worthy contribution to the field of Civil
Engineering with validations and suitable justifications

Mapping: The explanation for this comment is available in page number 64 of the thesis.
 EXAMINER 3
Question 1: How can the proposed FE models be modified for bonded partially pre-stressed
concrete beams?

Reply: The modelling of proposed FE models for partially prestressed bonded and unbonded
beams is same except for provision of bond condition between the tendon and the surrounding
concrete. This can be provided in two ways.

1. The complete bond (without slip) behavior can be modeled by simply merging the identical
nodes of concrete and tendons into a single entity such that no relative movement of tendon
is possible in any direction.
2. To precisely model the bond-slip effect of prestressing tendon, a unidirectional element
COMBIN39 incorporated with force-slip law can be introduced between the identical nodes
of concrete and tendon element to model the relative movement in the longitudinal direction
only by constraining the other two directions.

Question 2: How can the proposed FE models be modified for fully pre-stressed concrete
beams?

Reply: The fully pre-stressed concrete beam consists of only pre-stressing tendons (without
conventional steel bars). The un-tensioned steel bars are removed and the FE model contains
only the unbonded or bonded tendons. In this case also, to model the bond-slip action, we can
use the COMBIN39 spring element in the x-direction only and for the unbonded condition, the y
and z-directions are constrained whereas the tendon is free to move in the x-direction.

Question 3: Which element in ANSYS is used to model the steel reinforcement in RC beams?

Reply: The steel reinforcements (compression, tension, and stirrups) are modeled using 3-D spar
LINK180 elements. This element is a uniaxial tension-compression element with three degrees
of freedom at each node (translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions). LINK180 element has
only uniaxial tension-compression capability. As like in a pin-jointed structure, it does not
support any shear or bending behavior and only resists axial forces. This spar element has
plasticity, stress stiffening, creep, rotation, large deflection, and large strain capabilities.

Question 4: Explain the different non-linearity considered in the present work.

Reply: The FE model in the present work comprises all three types of nonlinear behavior namely
geometric nonlinearity, material nonlinearity, and contact nonlinearity. The geometric
nonlinearity exists due to the large deformation (displacement strain) at the first crack and post-
yield loads of UPPCB or RC beams. The compressive stress-strain behavior of concrete is
represented using the multilinear isotropic model and the tensile behavior with a tri-linear stress-
strain model which gives the material nonlinearity. Whereas the contact nonlinearity exists, when
the bond-slip law is incorporated in the FE models for RC beams.

Question 5: What changes are necessary for the proposed FE models for analysis under cyclic
loading?

Reply: The same model can be used for the cyclic load analysis also. However, in the ANSYS
software, the type of analysis in the nonlinear solution tab needs to be changed from static to
cyclic. After the nonlinear solution is completed we can obtain the load-deformation hysteresis
curve instead of a simple load-deflection curve.

Question 6: Explain how you modeled the loss of prestress due to elastic shortening.

Reply: In the entire numerical analysis work of UPPCB, the tendon is pre-tensioned with a strain
value that is equal to the effective prestress divided by Young’s modulus of the tendon. Hence,
throughout the research work, the magnitude of prestress implies the effective prestress after
removing all the prestress losses. Loss of prestress due to the elastic shortening is not considered
in developing this proposed FE model.

Question 7: Clarify how the End Block Effect has been considered and modeled in the analysis.

Reply: For the UPPCB FE model, the end block is modeled by nearly spaced vertical stirrups of
50mm c/c distance up to a certain distance from one end of the beam. The end anchorage is
modeled using the SOLID185 element which is similar to the concrete element except that the
cracking or crushing property is absent. Since only a half-beam model is developed in the
analysis (considering symmetry), only one end anchorage is provided at the prestressing end.

Question 8: The FE models are developed for simply supported edge conditions. In general, we
come across beams with full fixidity or partial fixity. How do you justify your work in this
condition?

Reply: To model the FE model with fully fixed or partially fixed boundary condition, the
displacements of the center lines (nodes) of the supporting plate are constrained in x, y, and z-
direction. To achieve any partial fixity condition, we can release the node coordinates in the
respective direction. However, the developed model in this thesis is validated against the
experimental beams available in the literature which is a simply supported beam, and hence all
the models are modeled with simply supported condition. But for any other types of boundary
conditions, we can accordingly change (release/restrain) the constraint of a respective node in
that direction.

Question 9: The developed FE models for unbonded PSC beams have been validated with the
experimental results of Tao and Du, 1985. Clearly explain how you simulated the experimental
condition in your half-symmetry FE model.

Reply: Solid65, Link180, and Solid185 elements from the ANSYS library representing the
concrete, prestressed and non-prestressed reinforcement, and loading and anchorage plates
respectively are used to develop the UPPCB. Thorenfeldt stress-strain law is used to model the
concrete compressive behavior whereas the ANSYS default tri-liner law is used to model the
tensile behavior. The plasticity behavior is modeled using the William and Warnke model along
with Von-mises failure criteria. An open and closed shear retention coefficient of 0.3 and 1 is
used in this study. To save the analysis time and system storage, a half beam model with a
symmetric plane that lies exactly half the span is analyzed that gives similar results as that of the
full beam model. The symmetry condition constrains the displacement of all the nodes in the x-
direction only. The support is a model for hinge conditions by constraining the displacements of
center nodes along the x, y, and z-directions. The unbonded tendon is modeled by constraining
the nodes in the x and z-direction only, whereas at the anchorage end the nodes are constrained
in all three directions. The pre-stressing effect is introduced using the “initiate” command. The
external load is applied through several load increments and the solution is solving for
nonlinearity using the Newton-Raphson method.

Question 10: Briefly explain all the new contributions of your Ph.D. to the existing literature

Reply: In this thesis, the proposed FE has incorporated the concrete-steel interface bond-slip
effect based on the CEB-FIP 2010 code for RC beams which has not been researched widely.
The proposed FE model has many applications in structural engineering for RC and prestressed
concrete beams. The various intensive parameters which influence the flexural and ductility
aspects of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams are simulated using the validated FE
models and the mesh sensitivity analysis, the predicted contour plots, and the load-deflection
response of these beams demonstrate a better understanding of the nonlinear behavior throughout
the loading history, which is lacking in the existing models that are available in the past
literature. In most of the available literature, the prestressing effect is modeled indirectly by
applying a concentrated force and a couple (moment) at the pretension end. However, in this
research work the prestressing effect, the unbonded condition, and the anchorage blocks are
modeled similar to that of practical operation done in the field. In addition to this, the different
parameters explored and the comprehensive justification of the results presented in this thesis
show distinct contributions compared to the existing literature.

Question 11: Briefly clarify which gaps in literature have been addressed by you and how you
could fill up those gaps with your work.

Reply: From the literature survey, it is found that the bond-slip behavior is not been considered
and instead it is assumed that the reinforcement is completely constrained in all directions. But in
a practical scenario, the steel reinforcement exhibit relative movement concerning the
surrounding concrete. In most of the research papers studied on the high-strength concrete (HSC)
beams up to 100MPa strength, the authors used the compressive stress-strain constitutive law
based on the existing model which is applicable up to 60MPa concrete strength. However, the
same stress-strain constitutive model has been used to verify the experimental beams for
100MPa compressive strength also. Whereas, the proposed FE model for HSC beams in this
thesis is incorporated with the Thoremfeldts stress-strain law, which is applicable for a
compressive strength of 120MPa. In most of the research papers, the mesh density study is not
done and instead of this the authors randomly assume the size of the element for verifying the
experimentally tested beams. But in FE analysis, the mesh convergence study is a very important
aspect that alters the results as well as the nonlinear behavior. It is also found in the literature that
most often only the quarter beam model is demonstrated to compare the numerical results with
the full beam experimental data without a model of the complete beam, and no justification of
results between quarter beam, half beam, and full beam models are presented. The exact measure
of the yield point of steel reinforcement and stress or strain at any loading point is highly
complicated through the experimental study. However, it can be accurately predicted by the
proposed numerical models and the nonlinear behavior can be better understood with the help of
contour diagrams. There are very few numerical studies that are available in the literature which
demonstrate the modeling approach for the unbonded post-tensioned concrete beams. The
unbonded post-tensioned beam with the combination of high-strength concrete is rare in the
literature. Therefore, these are the following research gaps found in the literature review, and
these gaps are incorporated in the developed FE model for the parameters studied in this research
work.

Question 12: Briefly explain the practical applications of your developed FE model in the
current scenario of pre-fab PSC bridges/flyovers with component-type construction.

Reply: The geometry of the PSC bridges/flyover element will be quite different from that of the
proposed FE model presented in this thesis. Further investigation is required in this case by
comparing the results of the proposed procedure with that of the actual bridge structure.
However, the modeling approach and the various constitutive nonlinear laws used to construct
the reinforced and prestressed concrete beams are applicable for the prefabricated PSC bridges/
flyover structures to assess the ultimate response. In the case of component construction of PSC
post-tensioned bridges; several prefabricated components are interconnected using the unbonded
or bonded tendon. Hence the procedure demonstrated to develop the unbonded tendon and to
induce the prestressing effect to the concrete element will ensure that it will also be practically
applicable for the prefabricated PSC bridges/flyover structures. The bonded tendon condition can
be obtained by simply merging all the identical nodes of the tendon and the concrete elements
into a single entity. Else, it can be obtained by firmly constraining the nodes along the width and
depth directions and a COMBIN39 element is incorporated with force-slip law which is
introduced in between the identical nodes along the longitudinal direction to facilitate the bond-
slip mechanism.

PANDIMANI
Regd. No. 15022P0121

Signature of Supervisor

Signature of Co-supervisor

Signature of Examiner