Numerical Simulation of Fiber-reinforced Concrete under Cyclic Loading using Extended Finite Element Method and Concrete Damaged Plasticity

Abstract

In recent years, the scientific community has shown a growing interest in fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) for modern structures due to its enhanced ductility compared to traditional reinforced concrete (RC). This paper introduces an analytical model that incorporates a comprehensive fiber reinforcing index (RI) to study various types of FRC. The analysis focuses on the compressive and tensile behaviors, damage evolution under cyclic loading, and crack propagation in the concrete matrix. To effectively simulate crack initiation and propagation in FRC structures, the extended finite element method (XFEM) is employed, leveraging its fracture-solving capabilities. Additionally, the XFEM is combined with the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) modeling approach to examine the quasi-static and hysteretic performance of FRC columns. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models are constructed using the commercial software Abaqus. These models incorporate steel fibers, polypropylene fibers, and a combination of both types of fibers in the FRC structures. Furthermore, the accuracy of the XFEM-CDP-based analysis in predicting hysteretic behavior is validated against results from previous research articles, demonstrating reasonable accuracy. It allows engineers to accurately capture the nonlinear behavior of concrete, including cracking, crushing, and plastic deformation, while also considering the complex crack patterns, providing a better understanding of the seismic performance of FRC structures using numerical simulations.