Finite Element Analysis of Bearing Capacity of RC Beams Retrofitted with External Bars

For enhancing the flexural strength of existing reinforced concrete beams provision of external bars at the soffit of the beam is identified as one of the cost effective and easy to execute method. This paper discusses the finite element modeling and nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete beams with additional external reinforcing bars at the soffit level using ANSYS 12.0 software. Finite element modeling of reinforced concrete beams is carried out using discrete reinforcement modeling and the results are compared with experimental results of twenty numbers of beam specimens under four-point bending. SOLID65, SOLID45, and LINK8 elements were used finite element modeling of the beam. COMBIN39 spring elements were used for simulating the frictional contact between the soffit and the external bars. Wide range graphical display of the results such as deflected shape of the beam, strain variation along the length and depth of the beam and crack propagation at various loading stages were generated by creating a batch file using ANSYS parametric design language.