Non Linear Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Beam Using ABAQUS Software

The project involved predicting the shear strength of concrete beams using ABAQUS software. The objectives were to predict the shear strength of the beams and to compare the predicted values with the software. The author's area of work was analyzing the beams and documenting the project report. The project group consisted of multiple team members. The author applied decision-making, analytical thinking, and knowledge of AutoCAD and ABAQUS software. The project faced issues of corrosion, excessive cracks, and outdated software, which were solved by using steel, epoxy injection, and updated software. The plan was to produce innovative and creative work by working collaboratively.

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Non Linear Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Beam Using
ABAQUS Software
Location of the project: Please fill
Project Duration: Please fill
Organization: Please fill
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member of the project
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The project of Non Linear Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Beam Using
ABAQUS Software was the first significant project in my civil engineering career. The
beams are certain structural elements, which primarily helps in resisting loads that are applied
laterally to the axis of the beams. The specific deflection mode is through bending. All the
loads that are being applied to this beam eventually results in each and every reaction force at
the supporting of points of beam. This project has eventually focused over the prediction of
the shear strength of few concrete beams by ABAQUS software. An analytical model was
proposed in this project.
CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
This project of Non Linear Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Beam Using ABAQUS
Software consisted of several significant and vital objectives. The major objectives of this
specific project are given below:

 To predict the shear strength of these concrete deep beams
 To predict shear strength by ABAQUS software.
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
My main area of work in this particular project was to eventually analysis of the
concrete beams. The analysis was done on non linear finite element. I mainly tested the
concrete beams for analysis, only after using the software of ABAQUS. The accuracy of the
predicted values of shear strength on the basis of ABAQUS 6.1 software was solely
compared by me. Moreover, my other area of work was to document the entire project report
properly and perfectly. I focused on the readings of my project and documented the project
report without any type of errors.
CE 1.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project

CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I had various important responsibilities in this project. The first important
responsibility that I had in this project was to predict the analysis of the concrete beams. The
concrete beams are tensile in nature and could be easily undertaken by the steel tendons. All
of these beams are called the prestressed concrete beams and was thus I fabricated for
producing the compression more than the desired tension in various loading conditions. I
even checked the reinforced concrete beams, where this concrete is completely under
compression. I was responsible for carrying out the analytical study with the help of
ABAQUS 6.1 software for the purpose of predicting shear strength of the reinforced concrete
beams by the steel bars. I even compared all the predicted values of shear strengths of these
test beams that were obtained by the specific software. My other responsibility included the
conduction of parametric studies with the help of ABAQUS 6.10 software and IS 456 2000
model. I researched about the overall influence of the concrete compressive strengths,
different grades of the steel rebars and values of the shear spans to the depth ratio over shear
strengths of the concrete deep beams.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I have applied several significant civil engineering skills and knowledge in this
particular project of Non Linear Finite Element Analysis of the Concrete Deep Beams Using
ABAQUS software. The most important skill, which I had applied here, is the specific skill of
decision making and analytical thinking. As I a civil engineer, it was necessary for me for
thinking analytically or logically. I even undertook several important decisions to make the
project even better. I had even applied my knowledge of AutoCAD and ABAQUS software.
This project was based on ABAQUS software and hence it was important for me to use this

software properly. The drawings or the design were done with the help of auto computer
aided design or AutoCAD software. I even applied my knowledge of Primavera in this
project to perfectly execute it.
CE 1.3.3 Comprehending the Theory of Project
The various reinforced concrete beams are extremely useful and re subsequently
utilized in several buildings, infrastructures and bridges. As per the I.S: 456-2000, the
simplest supported beam could be classified as the deep beam only when the significant ratio
of the effective span, i.e. L to the total depth, i.e. D is lesser than 2.0 as well as the continuous
beams can be considered as the deep beam only when this ratio of L/D is lesser than 2.5.
The analysis of non-linear finite element was done by us with the help of ABAQUS
software. The concrete deep beam was being modelled as 3D deformable solid in ABAQUS.
This model was around 1590 mm in length with a cross section of 170mm x 500mm. The
effective span of the beam is 990 mm. The size of the bearing plate was about 150mm
x170mm in size and they were also eventually modelled. This beam comprises of three
distinct numbers of the 10mm diameter longitudinal bars at the tensile face of the beam. This
beam has two numbers of the 8mm diameter longitudinal bars within the compression face of
beam. The beam has the shear stirrups that are vertical of the diameter of 8mm within the
spacing of 247mm c/c. This span of the beam was given by 990 mm with an overhang of
300mm each on one side of this span. The effective depth of beam was given by 465mm. The
effective shear span to the depth ratio was 0.5. Then rebars were modelled as embedded 3D
truss element.
The strength of the concrete beam was predicted using ABAQUS software .The shear
strength corresponding to the shear span to the efficient and effective depth or a/d ratio that is
ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 had been predicted. The respective shear strength of the concrete

beams with the amount of steel reinforcement 1, 2, 3 and 4 percent has been computed. The
strength grades of the concrete considered in this study are 25, 50, 75 and 100MPa. The grade
of longitudinal steel bars is assumed constant and is equal to 250 MPa. The increment in
shear strength made up of 40MPa and above grade concrete and 1 percent of longitudinal
steel reinforcement is found to be 2 to 3 percent when compared to the corresponding beams
of 25MPa grade concrete. In beams made up of 40MPa and above grade concrete and 3
percent of longitudinal steel reinforcement, the increase in shear strength of beam was found
to be 4 to 5 percent when compared to the corresponding beams of 25MPa grade concrete.
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
There were some of the major issues that I had come across in this project of Non
Linear Finite Element Analysis of the Concrete Deep Beams Using ABAQUS software. The
first and the foremost issue that I had encountered in this particular project was the
occurrence of corrosion in the reinforcement of concrete beams. This mainly occurred for the
reason of penetration of air and water within the cracks. The crack width was excessive in our
concrete beams and thus the corrosion occurred in the reinforced concrete beams. The second
issue that took place in our project was the loss of functional structure when there was a crack
present with highest width. This occurred within the designing of various structures with the
specialized attention on tightness of water and air. Moreover, my project comprised of
excessive cracks and these were absolutely undesirable. The next significant issue in this
project was while using the ABAQUS software. In the beginning, we had undertaken an
outdated version of the software and hence were not getting the desired results in our project.
All of these issues were bringing major delays within the project and we were not being able
to complete the project on time.

1.3.4.2 Solutions
I suggested some of the simplest solutions to all the problems that were faced by us in
this project. For the first significant issue of corrosion in the concrete beams, I suggested to
my project supervisor to use steel in our project. Steel is passive under the environment of
higher alkalinity and hence corrosion would not take place. I provided the suggestion to
penetrate carbon dioxide from the environment to the cover concrete and thus our problem
was solved of corrosion. The second problem was the presence of excessive cracks in our
concrete beams. To repair the excess cracks in concrete beams, I suggested using the method
of epoxy injection. This particular technique comprises of establishment of entry or venting
ports at the closer intervals with cracks. The third issue was the outdated version of
ABAQUS software. I suggested using ABAQUS 6.1 software and it turned out to be
extremely effective for the project and our results were no longer erroneous.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
Our plan was to produce innovative and creative work by working collaboratively.
We segregated our work properly and each one of us executed our duty and responsibility
with utmost sincerity. Furthermore, regular follow-ups were taken, so that we do not miss any
of the important aspect in the project.