APPLICATION OF FINITE ELEMENT ON CONCRETE BEAMS WITH SLEEVE

Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a sleeve in the performance of a concrete beam using
finite element method. It will investigate concrete beams with varying sleeve locations in terms of
their resulting stresses and deflections. It will determine the most feasible location of a sleeve in a
concrete beam for practical application. The results derived in this study indicate that a concrete
beam with no sleeve will perform better than a concrete beam with a sleeve. It also reveals that a
sleeve placed at L/2 and L/4 at the center part of a beam will almost have the same performance,
and a sleeve placed at L/4 and bottom part of the beam will perform better than a sleeve placed at
L/2 and bottom part of the beam. Moreover, it has also been found that a sleeve placed at the center
of the beam will perform better than a sleeve placed at the bottom of the beam.
Keywords: Finite Element; Beam; Sleeve; stress; deflection.

1. Introduction
1.1
General
The study consists of the application of Finite Element Method in the design of a restrained
concrete beam. The reason for conducting the study is to evaluate the effects of a sleeve in a
restrained concrete beam as normally encountered during actual construction.
The key consideration in the conduct of the study is the application of finite element method in the
analysis of a restrained concrete beam with the aid of the Easy FEM software.
1.2
Description
The study is about a concrete restrained beam with 5.3m. length, 0.50 m. width and 0.55m. depth.
The study will consider a rectangular sleeve at the locations L/2 and L/4 of the length of the beam,
and at the center and bottom part of the depth of the beam.
A uniform load of 50kN/m will be applied to the beam. Analysis will be performed using the Easy
FEM software to determine the beam's deflections and stresses considering the various cases.
1.3
Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is to apply finite element method in designing the concrete restrained
beam. This study aims to make a comparison on the results of deflection and stresses in different
locations of the sleeve along the span and depth of a beam.

2. Methodology
2.1
General
The following are the methods that were undertaken for the study:
Mathematical Analysis using Finite Element Method;
Analysis of Results; and
Conclusion.

2.2
Mathematical Analysis using Finite Element Method
A two-dimensional plane element model of the beam was used to analyse the deflection and stresses
of the beam using the finite element method software Easy FEM.
The material strengths of the beam as indicated in the basis of design were used in the design of the
beam during the study. Uniform load converted as joint load were also applied in the model.
2.3
Analysis of Results
An analysis of the resulting deflections and stresses for the various cases of the beam with sleeves
were performed. The results were tabulated according to their Y-Displacement, Sxx, Syy, Sxy and
Von Mises based on the results of the Easy FEM software for comparison.
2.4
Conclusion
Based on the results of the various analyses conducted for the study, a definitive conclusion based
on the objectives of the study was derived and presented.

3. Mathematical Analysis using Finite Element Method

3.1
General
A two-dimensional plane element model of the beam was used to analyse the deflection and stresses
of the beam. The finite element method software Easy FEM was used for modelling and analysis of
the beam. Easy FEM is a software that uses finite element method for the analysis of stresses and
deflection of beams.
3.2
Assumptions and Parameters
The design assumptions and parameters used in the study are as follows:
Beam Length
5.30 m.
Beam Width
0.5 m.
Beam Depth
0.55 m.
Modulus of Elasticity, E
35,171,580 kN/m2
Poissons Ratio
0.2
Uniform Load
50 kN/m.
Type of Mesh
Structured
3.3
Beam with Sleeve Cases
The various beam with sleeve conditions that were used in the study are as follow:
Beam without sleeve
Beam with sleeve at L/2 (Middle)
Beam with sleeve at L/2 (Bottom)
Beam with sleeve at L/4 (Middle)
Beam with sleeve at L/4 (Bottom)

4. Analysis of Results
4.1
General
The information obtained from the analysis were analysed and evaluated based on the their
deflection and stresses.
The results are as follows:

Location of Pipe
Sleeve

Sxx

Syy

Sxy

Y-Disp. (m.)

Von Mises
(kN./m2)

(kN./m2)

(kN./m2)

No Sleeve

2.8x10-4

2288.90

457.77

909.12

2609.50

@L/2(Center)

3.22x10-4

2743.70

548.74

1012.30

3055.40

@L/2(Bottom)

3.59x10-4

2965.80

593.16

1035.90

3232.60

@L/4(Center)

3.23x10-4

2759

551.79

1031.70

3034.60

@L/4(Bottom)

3.22x10-4

2812.20

562.44

1045.30

3078.20

4.2
Comparison of Results
Based on the results of the analysis, a detailed comparison of the resulting deflections and stresses
was performed and summarized as follows:
A sleeve placed either at L/2 or L/4 of a concrete beam will result into a greater deflection and
stress compared to a concrete beam with no sleeve.
A sleeve placed at L/2 (center) of a beam will have lesser deflection and stress (although almost
negligible) compared to a sleeve placed at L/4 (center) of a beam.
A sleeve placed at L/2 (bottom) of the beam will have greater deflection and stress compared to
a sleeve placed at L/4 (bottom) of a beam.
A sleeve placed at the center of the beam will have lesser deflection and stress compared to a
sleeve placed at the bottom of the beam.

5. Conclusion
The following conclusions are drawn from the results of the analysis and evaluation undertaken for
the study:
A concrete beam with no sleeve will perform better than a concrete beam with a sleeve.
A sleeve placed at L/2 and L/4 at the center part of a beam will almost have the same
performance.
A sleeve placed at L/4 and bottom part of the beam will perform better than a sleeve placed at
L/2 and bottom part of the beam.
A sleeve placed at the center of the beam will perform better than a sleeve placed at the bottom
of the beam.