Nonlinear full-range flexural analysis of reactive powder concrete beams

Based on the plane-section assumption and the method of numerical integration, an analysis program is developed to reveal the mechanical behavior of RPC flexural beams section, which can be used to calculate the curves of moment-curvature relationships of RPC beams. In this program, the uniaxial tension-compression stress-strain relationships of RPC material and the mechanical characteristics of RPC beams are considered. The load-deflection relationships are gained with the method of conjugate beam. The displacements of all nodes are obtained under every steps loading so as to achieve the full-range flexural analysis of PRC beams. Seven beams are tested in three-point bending apparatus to testify the results of numerical calculation. It is shown that the plane-section assumption is applicable during the full-range deformation process. The load-deflection relationships, the failure mode and the ultimate load got from the program are in accordance with experimental results of RPC beams with steel bar, while the results of numerical calculation of RPC beams without steel bar are much less than the corresponding experimental results. It is observed that the failure modes of RPC beams without steel bar are brittle fracture with one crack, and suggested that the anti-crack distributing steel bars should be arranged in the tension side of RPC beams.