Investigation of bond-slip modeling methods used in FE analysis of RC members

Adherence between reinforcement and the surrounding concrete is usually ignored in finite element analysis (FEA) of reinforced concrete (RC) members. However, load transition between the reinforcement and surrounding concrete effects RC members' behavior a great deal. In this study, the effects of bond-slip on the FEA of RC members are examined. In the analyses, three types of bond-slip modeling methods (perfect bond, contact elements and spring elements) and three types of reinforcement modeling methods (smeared, one dimensional line and three dimensional solid elements) were used. Bond-slip behavior between the reinforcement and surrounding concrete was simulated with cohesive zone materials (CZM) for the first time. The bond-slip relationship was identified experimentally using a beam bending test as suggested by RILEM. The results obtained from FEA were compared with the results of four RC beams that were tested experimentally. Results showed that, in FE analyses, because of the perfect bond occurrence between the reinforcement and surrounding concrete, unrealistic strains occurred in the longitudinal reinforcement. This situation greatly affected the load deflection relationship because the longitudinal reinforcements dominated the failure mode. In addition to the spring elements, the combination of a bonded contact option with CZM also gave closer results to the experimental models. However, modeling of the bond-slip relationship with a contact element was quite difficult and time consuming. Therefore bond-slip modeling is more suitable with spring elements.