Numerical analysis of reinforced concrete structures with particular focus on bond behaviour

A non-linear bond model is presented, capturing bond behaviour between concrete and reinforcing ribbed steel bars. An existing model, where coupled thermal-hygric-mechanical-chemical (THMC-) processes are already modelled for pure concrete, will be extended by the presented bond model. Against this background and due to the resulting requirements the approach of a geometrically consistent consideration of the reinforcement is chosen, neglecting the bar ribs in the geometric model. All bond mechanisms are considered by the additional bond model in between concrete and reinforcement. With this procedure the principle of a formal treatment and general description, used in the existing model describing the different processes, is not only continued, but also transferred regarding the three components concrete, steel and bond. The bond model is discretized by interface elements, which describe curved surfaces in 3D space. The presented non-linear bond model incorporates the mechanical interaction of the bar rips with adjacent concrete as well as the damage of the bond zone. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)