Shell finite element analysis of RC plates supported on columns for punching shear and flexure

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present a method of implementing layered shell finite elements for punching shear analysis of reinforced concrete slabs. The emphasis is on the influence of different material modelling parameters on the calculated results.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element approach utilizes quadratic isoparametric C⁰ shell elements. The elements take into account an out‐of‐plane shear response and allow implementation of three‐dimensional constitutive models and out‐of‐plane reinforcement. Through the consideration of 3D states of strain and stress, the formulation can predict structural failures caused by either flexure or punching shear.

Findings

Comparisons are shown between analytical solutions and several test results, which show that the presented non‐linear finite element formulation works well for modelling slab behaviour.

Originality/value

The most important contribution of this work is the use of shell elements for punching and flexure analysis of reinforced concrete slabs and the discussion on the influence of material modelling on the calculated results. Shell finite elements have been extensively used in the analysis of slabs for flexure. However, the critical issue in the design of these slabs is a 3D shear effect around the column area called punching shear. 3D elements can be used for punching shear analysis of reinforced concrete slabs, but the cost of using these elements and the computational effort make them impractical for real design situations. Therefore, shell finite elements, with appropriate element and material modelling formulations that make them applicable for punching shear analysis, are employed in the presented work.

Citation

Anna Polak, M. (2005), "Shell finite element analysis of RC plates supported on columns for punching shear and flexure", Engineering Computations, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 409-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/02644400510598750