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Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete

Horizontally Curved Deep Beams

Article · January 2010

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 Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced
Concrete Horizontally Curved Deep Beams
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ammar Y. Ali Dr. : Ali N. Attiyah M.Sc. : Haider A. A. Al-Tameemi
University of bablyon University of Kufa University of Kufa

ABSTRACT:
This research deals with the analysis of reinforced concrete horizontally curved deep beams,
loaded transversely to its plane, using a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model in the pre
and post cracking levels and up to the ultimate load. The 20-node isoparametric brick element with
sixty degrees of freedom is employed to model the concrete, while the reinforcing bars are modeled
as axial members embedded within the concrete brick element. Perfect bond between the concrete
and the reinforcing bars is assumed. The behavior of concrete in compression is simulated by an
elasto-plastic work hardening model followed by a perfect plastic response, which is terminated at
the onset of crushing. In tension, a fixed smeared crack model has been used with a tension-
stiffening model to represent the retained post-cracking tensile stress. Also, a shear retention model
that modifies the shear modulus after cracking is used.

Numerical study is carried out to investigate the effect of the shear length to effective depth
ratio (a/d) on the ultimate load resisted by curved beams. Numerical study is carried out to
investigate the effect of the central subtended angle, boundary conditions, amount of transverse
reinforcement, and using additional longitudinal bars (horizontal shear reinforcement) on the
behavior of reinforced concrete horizontally curved beams with different shear length to effective
depth ratios (a/d).

: ‫الخالصة‬
‫تااسليس تحماال م اال ة تصا س م ايااة‬ ‫ااة تح ياال تحا‬ ‫الخس االنية الم االحة البمي ااة الم‬ ‫ها ا الا اس اة تحليااا البتتاال‬ ‫تتناال‬
‫ىلاام حااا‬ ‫لاام م اات و ت ااتل تل ااتخاا نم جاال خ خ يالث لاللا األتباالا للبنلصااس المحاااا حا م اسحااا التحميااا عدااا تبااا التشا و‬
‫ تا ا اتخاا البنصاس ال الد ع ع البشاسدة اا ما ات ة اسجاة حسداة لتملياا الخس النة تمال حاياا الت اليف ح اا‬. ‫الحماا األعصام‬
‫ ا تداس تصاس‬.‫ملا تبنلصس مح سدة م ما س ااخاا البنلصاس ال لد عياة ما احتاساو جا ا تاساتم تال داية الخس النة حاياا الت اليف‬
‫ تماال لتمليااا اال خ الخس االنة تح ا‬.‫نااا تتش ا الخس االنة‬ ‫لااانلث يتتباار تص اسحلث لااانلث تلم الث ينتت ا‬-‫الخس االنة ح ا اخنضااطلت تص اسحلث مسن الث‬
‫( ا ااتبما النما ت‬Fixed Smeared Crack Model) ‫الشااا ح ااا تا تدنا نما ت التشا و المنتشااس الللدا‬ ‫اجتاالاا‬ ‫تااسلي اس‬
‫التش ا و تا تدن ا تنما ت احتتاال‬ ‫الشااا المتت ا تبااا حااا‬ ‫( لح االا اجتالاا‬Tension Stiffening Model) ‫تصاالا الشااا‬
‫المتت ا ما ا اتمساس التحمياا حا مسحلاة مال تباا‬ ‫دتخضايو عيماة مبلماا ال ا‬ ‫( الا ع ي ا‬Shear Retention Model) ‫ال ا‬
.‫التش و‬
‫ىلام البماو‬ ‫اة تح يال لا اس اة تاسليس تطياس ن اتة حضالء ال ا‬ ‫الخس النية الم الحة الم‬ ‫ت ىجساء ا اس ة تحليلية لم البتتل‬
‫اانلاد ةميااة حايااا‬ ‫د سد ااة ا‬ ‫ة ا لخ ت ا ا اس ااة تااسليس اا يااة الت ا‬ . ‫الحمااا األعصاام لتلااخ البتتاال‬ ‫ ) لاام التصااس‬a/d ‫الضباال‬
‫ل اام البتت اال‬ ‫تح ا ا‬ ‫لي ااة ىض االحية لتتص ااس ةت االيف عا ا‬ ‫الت االيف الم ااتبسود تل ض االحة ىل اام ا ااتبمل عض ااتلة حاي ااا ت االيف‬
.‫) مختلضة‬a/d ‫ة تح يل لن ا‬ ‫الخس لنية الم لحة الم‬
KEYWORDS :Finite Element; Nonlinear Analysis; Reinforced Concrete; Curved Beam; Deep Beam .

1
1. INTRODUCTION:
Reinforced concrete horizontally curved beams are extensively used in many fields, such as
in the construction of modern highway intersections, elevated freeways, the rounded corners of
buildings, circular balconies,….etc. In some of these cases, large depths are needed for curved
beams in order to resist high loads or to fulfill some aesthetic purposes. The analytical analysis of
such members is very complex due to the fact that those members are subjected to combined action
of bending, shear and torsion. Furthermore, non-homogeneous nature of the materials involved
contributes to the complexity of the problem. Therefore, it becomes necessary to employ numerical
analysis procedures, such as the finite element method, to satisfy the safety and the economy
requirements.
A horizontally curved beam, loaded transversely to its plane, is subjected to torsion in
addition to bending and shear. Furthermore, in deep beam the plane section does not remain plane
after bending because of high stresses and warping occurs. Therefore, special features of analysis
and design for horizontally curved deep beams is necessary to include the effect of above
mentioned factors. Several methods of collapse analysis (Khalifa 1972, Jordaan et al. 1974, Badawy
et al. 1977, Hsu et al. 1978, and Abul Mansur and Rangan 1981. ) were proposed for analysis of
specific cases of reinforced concrete curved beams. However, till yet studies concerning reinforced
concrete horizontally curved deep beams are rare.
At present, with the application of digital computers beside the development of numerical
methods, the mathematical difficulties associated with curved deep beam have been largely
overcome.
One of the most effective numerical methods utilized for analyzing reinforced concrete
members is the finite element method. Using this method, many aspects of the phenomenological
behavior of reinforced concrete structures can be modeled rationally. These aspects include the
tension-stiffening, non-linear multiaxial material properties, modeling of cracking and crushing, and
many other properties related to the behavior of reinforced concrete members under stresses. An
important utilization of the finite element method is the modeling of the degradation of concrete
compressive strength in the presence of transverse tensile straining as happens in members
subjected dominantly to torsion or shear stresses. Therefore, the present study adopted a three
dimensional non-linear finite element model to investigate the behavior and the load carrying
capacity of reinforced concrete horizontally curved deep beams.

2.FINITE ELEMENT MODEL

The 20-node isoparametric brick element shown in Fig.1 is used in the current study to
model the concrete. Each node of this element has three degrees of freedomu, v, and w in the x, y,
and z directions respectively. The isoparametric definition of the brick element is:

20 20 20
u  , ,     N i  , ,  ui , v , ,     N i  , ,  vi , w , ,     N i  , ,  wi (1)
i 1 i 1 i 1

where Ni (ξ, η, ζ) is the shape function at the i-th node and ui, vi, wi are the corresponding nodal
displacements. The shape functions for the 20 node brick element which are adopted to map the
element are given in Table 1.

The Gauss-Legender quadrature numerical integration scheme has been found to be accurate
and a convenient technique to carry out the finite element analysis. The integration rule, which has
been used in this study , is the 15-point rule.
The weights and abscissa of the sampling points are listed in Table 2 .The relative
distribution of the Gaussion points over the element is given in Fig. 2.

2
 Table(1)Shape functions of the quadratic 20-node brick
element.(Cook, R. D.,1974, Carlos A. F.,2004)

Location ξ η ζ Ni (ξ, η, ζ)
Corner
±1 ±1 ±1 (1+ ξ ξi)(1+ η ηi)(1+ ζ ζ i) (ξ ξi+ η ηi + ζ ζi-2 )/8
nodes
Mid-side
0 ±1 ±1 (1- ξ2)(1+ η ηi )(1+ ζ ζi ) /4
nodes
Mid-side
±1 0 ±1 (1- η2 )(1+ ξ ξi)(1+ ζ ζi )/4
nodes
Mid-side
±1 ±1 0 (1- ζ2 )(1+ ξ ξi)(1+ η ηi )/4
nodes
Fig (1) 20-node brick element

Table (2) Weights and abscissa of sampling points

(Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990).

Integration Sampling Natural coordinates

rule point Weight
number   
15a-point 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.56444
rule 2,3 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.35556
4,5 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.35556
6,7 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.35556
8-15 0.6714 0.6714 0.6714 0.53778

Fig.(2)Distribution of sampling points

(Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990).

4. MODELING OF MATERIAL PROPERTIES

The material model used in the present work is suitable for the three-dimensional nonlinear
analysis of reinforced concrete structures under monotonically increasing load. The behavior of
concrete in compression is presented by an elastic-plastic work hardening model followed by a
perfectly plastic response, which is terminated at the initiation of crushing. The growth of
subsequent loading surfaces is described by an isotropic hardening rule. A parabolic equivalent
uniaxial stress-strain curve shown in Fig.3 has been used to represent work hardening stage of
behavior and the plastic straining is controlled by an associated flow rule. A yield criterion suitable
for analyzing reinforced concrete members has been used. This criterion was used successfully can
be expressed as:

f    cI1   cI 
1
2
 3 J 2 
12
 (2)

Where c and β are material parameters to be determined by fitting biaxial test results.Using
the uniaxial compression test and the biaxial test under equal compressive stresses. I1 and J2 are the
first stress and second deviatoric stress invariants and σ0 is the equivalent
effective stress taken from uniaxial tests.

In tension, linear elastic behavior is assumed to occur prior to cracking. Crack initiation is
controlled by a maximum tensile stress criterion. A smeared crack model with fixed orthogonal
cracks has been adopted to represent the behavior of cracked sampling points. The retained post-
cracking tensile stress and the reduced shear modulus are calculated according to Fig.4 and Fig.5
respectively. Details of the plasticity based model in compression and the smeared crack model in
tension can be found elsewhere(Al-Tameemi , H.A.A, 2005).
3
 Fig.(3) Uniaxial stress-strain curve for concrete(Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990).

2 3   
 1  n    3
 1  1   cr 
1.0

2

3

n
cr 1 cr
Fig. (4) Post-cracking model for concrete Fig.(5) Shear retention model for concrete
(Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990). (Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990).

4. ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE HORIZONTALLY CURVED BEAMS

In this section, reinforced concrete horizontally curved beams subjected to single load have
been analyzed using the finite element technique and the models discussed in the pervious chapters
The computer program 3DNFEA (3-Dimensional Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis) has been used
in the present study. This program has been originally developed by Al-Shaarbaf and introduced in
his Ph.D thesis(Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990). The analytical results are compared with the available
experimental results on load-deflection curves. In the following sections a description of the
concrete horizontally curved beams and the validity of the finite element analysis are presented.

4.1 Jordaan et al. (1974) Reinforced Concrete Horizontally Curved Beam

In this study, a reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam subjected to single point load
tested by (Jordaan et al., 1974). was selected for the analysis using the present computer program.
The geometry and loading conditions for this beam are shown in Fig. 6. The beam was fully fixed at
the two supports. Fig. 10 shows the cross section details. The total length of the beam was
considered in the finite element analysis. The beam was modeled using 20-quadratic brick elements
mesh. The finite element meshes used, boundary conditions and loading arrangement are shown in
Fig. 8. The external force was modeled as line loads distributed across the width of the beam. The
material properties adopted in the analysis are given in Table 3.

4
 Table (3) Material properties used in the analysis of Jordaan et al. (1974) curved beam.

Concrete Steel
Young's modulus, Ec (MPa)* 29725 Young's modulus, Es (MPa) 200000

Compressive strength ( f c' )(MPa) 40 Longitudinal Bars

Tensile strength ( f t )(MPa)** 3 Yield stress (MPa) 384

Poisson's ratio (  ) 0.2 Diameter of longitudinal bars (mm) 22

Stirrups
* Ec  4700  f c'
Yield stress (MPa) 240
** f t  0.5  f c
'
Diameter of stirrups bars (mm) 6.35

all dimensions in mm

Fig.(6) Jordaan et al.(1974) reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam, dimensions and loading.

2 Ø 22

Ø 6 @100 mm

229 mm 305mm

2Ø 22

152mm

Fig.(7) Cross section details of Jordaan et al.(1974) reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam

5
 all dimensions in mm

Fig.(8) Finite element idealization of Jordaan et al.(1974) curved beam.

4.1.1 Results of The Analysis

The experimental and numerical load-deflection curves obtained for curved beam tested by
(Jordaan et al.,1974) is shown in Fig. 9. This figure generally reveal that the finite element solution
is in good agreement with the experimental results throughout the entire range of behavior. It can
be noted that, the behavior was relatively more brittle compared with the experimental results. On
the other hand, it was observed that the numerical ultimate load was lower than the experimental
ultimate load by (1%). However, the computed failure load is very close to the corresponding
experimental ultimate load.

180
160
140
120
Load (kN)

100
80
60
40 Experimental
Present study
20
0
0 10 20 30
Deflection under load (mm)

Fig.( 9) Experimental and numerical load-deflection curves of Jordaan et al.(1974) curved beam.

6
4.2 Badawy et al.(1977) Reinforced Concrete Horizontally Curved Beam
In this study, a reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam subjected to single point load
tested by (Badawy et al., 1977)was selected for the analysis using the present computer program.
The geometry and loading conditions for this beam are shown in Fig. 10. The beam was completely
fixed at one end, while the flexural and torsional fixity were removed at the other end (simple
support). Fig. 11 shows the cross section details. The total length of the beam was considered in the
finite element analysis. The beam was modeled using 20-quadratic brick elements mesh. The finite
element meshes used, boundary conditions and loading arrangement are shown in Fig. 12. The
external force was modeled as line loads distributed across the width of the beam. The material
properties adopted in the analysis are given in Table 4.

all dimensions in mm

Fig.(10) Badawy et al.(1977) reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam, dimensions, boundary
conditions and loading.

2 Ø 19

Ø 7.1 @103 mm

229 mm 305mm

2Ø 19

152mm

Fig.(11) Cross section details of Badawy et al.(1977) reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam

7
 all dimensions in mm

Fig.(12) Finite element idealization of Badawy et al. (1977)curved beam.

Table (4) Material properties used in the analysis of Badawy et al. (1977)curved beam

Concrete Steel
*
Young's modulus, Ec (MPa) 25743 Young's modulus, Es (MPa) 200000

Compressive strength ( f c' )(MPa) 30.04 Longitudinal Bars

Tensile strength ( f t )(MPa)** 2.7 Yield stress (MPa) 475

Poisson's ratio (  ) 0.2 Diameter of longitudinal bars (mm) 19

Stirrups
* E c  4700  f c'
Yield stress (MPa) 300.3
** f t  0.5  f c
'
Diameter of stirrups bars (mm) 7.1

4.2.1 Results of The Analysis

The experimental and numerical load-deflection curves obtained for curved beam tested by
Badawy et al.(1977) is shown in Fig. 13. This figure generally reveal that the finite element
solution is in good agreement with the experimental results throughout the entire range of behavior.
The computed failure load is close to the corresponding experimental ultimate load. Furthermore,
experimental results showed more ductile behavior of the tested beam than the numerical behavior.
A relatively stiffener response has been obtained in the initial cracking stage of behavior for curved
beam. On the other hand, it was observed that the numerical ultimate load was lower than the
experimental ultimate load by (4%).

8
 90

80

70

60

Load (kN)
50

40

30

20 Experimental
10 Present study
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Deflection under load (mm)

Fig.(13) Experimental and numerical load-deflection curves of Badawy et al.(1977)curved beam.

5. NUMERICAL STUDY OF REINFORCED CONCRETE HORIZONTALLY CURVED

DEEP BEAMS
This section illustrates a numerical study that was carried out on reinforced concrete
horizontally curved beams with different depths to investigate the effect of some important
parameters on the load-deflection response of curved beams and the ultimate load resisted by those
beams. The parameters included in this study were the total depth of the beam, subtended angle,
boundary conditions, amount of transverse steel reinforcement ,use additional longitudinal bars,
besides change the location of load. The reinforced concrete horizontally curved beam tested by
(Jordaan et al., 1974), subjected to single point load was adopted in this numerical study.

5.1 The Influence of the Depth of the Beam

The effect of increasing the total depth (h) on the load-deflection response and the ultimate
load was investigated. In this section the total depth (h) was increased from (305 mm) to (400 mm),
(500 mm), (600 mm), (700 mm), and (750 mm). The result of this study leads to the conclusion that
increasing the total depth has a significant rule on load-deflection and ultimate load of curved
beams. This effect of increasing the total depth becomes more significant when the total depth
exceeds 600 mm.
Table 5 shows the results of the ultimate load for different total depths with their ratios of
the shear length (length of curved segment of beam)to the effective depth (a/d). Calculation of shear
length for curved beams is shown in Fig. 14.
Table (5) Effect of increasing depth (h) on the ultimate load

Total depth (h) (mm) 305 400 500 600 700 750

a/d 4.36 3.21 2.51 2 1.75 1.628

Ultimate load (kN) 159 252 335 425 570 610

% of increase in 0 58 112 167 258 284

ultimate load

Fig.(14) Shows the calculation of shear length (a)

9
 Fig. 15 shows the influence of total length (h) increasing on the load-deflection response for
the curved beams. This figure reveals that both initial and post cracking stiffness and the ultimate
load are significantly increased as the total depth increased. This can be attributed to the fact that
when the total depth is increased, the internal lever arm between the compression force in the
concrete and the tensile force in tension reinforcement is significantly increased. Also , the capacity
of the curved beam cross section in shear and torsion is increased as the area enclosed by the
centerline of stirrups legs increases.
Fig. 16 shows the influence of the ratio of (a/d) on the ultimate load of curved beam. It can be
concluded according to this figure that the ultimate load resisted by curved beams increases with
decreases (a/d). For values of (a/d) lower than two (h >600 mm), the ultimate load increasing at a
sharp slope with decreasing (a/d). This can be attributed to the effect of arch action on the behavior
of the reinforced concrete curved beams. Consequently, curved beam with (a/d) ratio less than two
can be considered as a deep beam.
700 Exp.( h=305 mm)
Study(h=305 mm)
600
Study(h=400 mm)
700
500 Study(h=500 mm)
Study(h=600 mm) 600
Load (kN)

400
Study(h=700 mm) 500

Study(h=750 mm)
Load (kN)

300 400

300
200
200

100 100

0
0 0 1 2 3 4 5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 (a/d)
Deflection under load (mm)

Fig.(15) Effect of depth (h) on load-deflection Fig.(16) Influence of (a/d) ratio on the ultimate
behavior load
of curved beams Angle
5.2 Effect of the Central Subtended
This section studies the effect of increasing or decreasing the central subtended angle of
curved beams on the load-deflection response and the ultimate load of curved beams for different
(a/d) ratios. Numerical tests were carried out on three curved beams with (a/d) ratio of (4.36), (2.51)
and (1.75). In these tests the central subtended angle was increased from (86 degree) to (120
degree), and decreased to (60 degree). Different central subtended angles were achieved by varying
the radius of the curved beams, since length of those beams were kept constant.
Table 6 shows the percentage of increase or decrease in the ultimate load sustained by
curved beams due to changing of central subtended angle (curvature) for different (a/d) ratios. Fig.
17 shows the influence of increasing and decreasing the subtended angle on the load-deflection
response of curved beams for different (a/d) ratios.
These results reveal that as the central subtended angle is decreased, the post cracking
stiffness for curved beams is significantly increased. This can be attributed to the fact that when the
central subtended angle (or the curvature) is decreased, the internal torsion acting on the beam cross
section is decreased. Also, it can be noted that the effect of (a/d) ratio is clear in the case of the
central angle is 120 degree, whereas the internal torsion is dominate. It can be concluded that the
effect of internal torsion is degrading with the decrease of the (a/d) ratio. These effects on the
ultimate load, may be due to the increase of torsional capacity of a cross section with increasing the
area enclosed by the centerline of stirrups legs.

10
Table (6) Effect of changing central subtended angle on the ultimate load with different (a/d) ratios
a/d =4.36 a/d =2.51 a/d =1.75
Subtended Curvature Ultimate % of Ultimate % of Ultimate % of
angle load (kN) change in load (kN) change in load (kN) change in
1/R*
(degree) ultimate ultimate ultimate
(m-1) load load load
60 0.3157 174 +9.4 347 +3.58 638 11.93
86 0.4524 159 0 335 0 570 0
120 0.6314 120 -24.5 290 -13.4 543.4 -4.67
* R : radius of the curved beam.

200 400
180
350
160
300
140

120 250
Load (kN)

Load (kN)
100 200
80
Angle=60 degree 150 Angle=60 degree
60
Angle=86 degree 100 Angle=86 degree
40

20 Angle=120 50 Angle=120 degree

0 degree
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
0 5 10 15 20
Deflection under load (mm)
Deflection under load(mm)

A. (a/d=4.36) B. (a/d=2.51)
700

600

500
Load (kN)

400

300
Angle=60 degree

200 Angle=86 degree

100 Angle=120 degree

0
0 5 10 15 20
Deflection under load (mm)

C. (a/d=1.75)
Fig.(17) Effect of changing central subtended angle on behavior of curved beams with different
(a/d) ratios
5.3 Influence of the Transverse Reinforcement
In order to study the effect of the amount of the transverse reinforcement on the load-
deflection response and the ultimate load of curved beams, numerical tests were carried out on the

11
curved beams with different (a/d) ratios. The (a/d) ratios were (4.36), (2.51) and (1.75). In these
tests the stirrup's diameter is increased from (6.35 mm) to (10 mm) and (12 mm).
Fig. 18 shows the effect of the variation of the amount of transverse reinforcement on the
load-deflection response and ultimate load of curved beams with different (a/d) ratios. This result
reveals that the ultimate load is increased with increase in the transverse steel amount. Table 7
shows the percentage of increase in the ultimate load for different (a/d) ratios. The table indicated
that the effect of increase in the amount of transverse reinforcement on the ultimate load is lower in
the case of ratio (a/d=1.75). The decrease in the effect of transverse reinforcement on the ultimate
load can be attributed to the fact that the diagonal cracks in beams are more steeper in slope for this
case. Therefore, the share of vertical steel (stirrups) is decreased.

Table(7) Effect of amount of transverse reinforcement on the ultimate load with different (a/d)
ratios
a/d =4.36 a/d =2.51 a/d =1.75
Diameter of the transverse Ultimate % of Ultimate % of Ultimate % of
reinforcement load (kN) increasing of load (kN) increasing of load (kN) increasing of
(mm) ultimate load ultimate load ultimate load
6.35 159 0 335 0 570 0

10 164 3.14 355 6 590 3.5

12 166 4.4 365 9.1 600 5.2

180 400

160 350
140 300
120 250
Load (kN)
Load (kN)

100
Exp. Diameter=6.35 mm 200 Diameter=6.35 mm
80
Diameter=6.35 mm 150
60 Diameter=10 mm
Diameter=10 mm 100
40
Diameter=12 mm
20 Diameter=12 mm 50

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20
Deflection under load (mm) Deflection under load (mm)

A. (a/d=4.36) B. (a/d=2.51)
700

600

500
Load (kN)

400

300

200
Diameter=6.35 mm
100 Diameter=10 mm
Diameter=12 mm
0
0 5 10 15
Deflection under load (mm)
C. (a/d=1.75)
Fig.(18) Effect of amount transverse reinforcement on load-deflection behavior of curved beams
with different (a/d) ratios
5.4 Influence of the longitudinal Reinforcement

12
 In order to investigate the effect of the amount and the distribution of longitudinal
reinforcement on the load-deflection response and the ultimate load numerical tests carried out on
the curved beams with different (a/d) ratios. The (a/d) ratios were (4.36), (2.51) and (1.75). In these
tests, additional longitudinal bars were used along the curved beam. Two bars diameter (12 mm) at
the center of vertical legs of stirrups are used in one case, and four bar diameter (12 mm) at the third
points of the vertical legs of stirrups were used in the other case, as shown in Fig. 19.
Fig. 20 shows the influence of using additional longitudinal bars along the curved beams on
the load-deflection response and ultimate load for different (a/d) ratios. Table 8 shows the
percentage of increase in the ultimate load for different (a/d) ratios. These results reveal that using
additional longitudinal bars leads to increasing the ultimate load for all (a/d) ratios. It can be noticed
that the effect of using additional longitudinal bars is augment with decreasing of (a/d) ratios. This
can be attributed to the fact that the additional bars operate as a horizontal shear reinforcement to
resist the shear forces produced due to the increase in sharpness of diagonal cracks slope which
increase with decreasing of (a/d) ratio.

Fig.(19) shows cases of the additional bars

Table (8) Effect of using additional longitudinal bars on the ultimate load of curved beams with
different (a/d) ratios
a/d =4.36 a/d =2.51 a/d =1.75
State of using % of % of change % of
Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate
additional longitudinal increasing in in ultimate increasing in
load (kN) load (kN) load (kN)
bars ultimate load load ultimate load
Without 159 0 335 0 570 0
Using two bars
162 1.88 345 3 606 6.3
diameter=12 mm
Using four bars 165
3.77 355 6 630 10.5
diameter=12 mm

180
160
140
120
Load (kN)

100
80
Exp. Without
60 With out
40 2-diameter=12 mm
20 4-diameter=12 mm

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Deflection under load (mm)

A. (a/d=4.36)

13
 400 700

350 600

300
500
250

Load (kN)
Load (kN)

400
200
300
150
200 Without
100 Without
2-diameter=12 mm
2-diameter=12 mm
50 100
4-diameter=12 mm 4-diameter=12 mm

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
Deflection under load (mm) Deflection under load (mm)

B. (a/d=2.51) C. (a/d=1.75)
Fig(20) Effect of using additional longitudinal bars on the load-deflection behavior for curved
beams with different (a/d) ratios

5.5 The Influence of the Location of Load

The effect of changing the location of load (change the central angle limited between the
support and the position of load) on the load-deflection response and the ultimate load was
investigated. In this section, this angle was decreased from (43 degree at the center of curved
beam) to (30 degree), (15 degree) , and (7.5 degree). The result of this study leads to the conclusion
that decreasing the angle of load has a significant rule on load-deflection and ultimate load of
curved beams.
Table 9 shows the results of the ultimate load for different angle of load with their ratios of
the shear length (length of curved segment of beam)to the effective depth (a/d). Calculation of shear
length for curved beams is shown in Fig. 14.
Fig. 21 shows the influence of angle of load increasing on the load-deflection response for the
curved beams. This figure reveals that both initial and post cracking stiffness and the ultimate load
are significantly increased as the angle of load decreased. This can be attributed to the fact that
when the angle of load is decreased, the arm of bending and torsion moments decreased.
Fig. 22 shows the influence of the ratio of (a/d) on the ultimate load of curved beam. It can
be concluded according to this figure that the ultimate load resisted by curved beams increases with
decreases (a/d). For values of (a/d) lower than two the ultimate load increasing at a sharp slope
with decreasing (a/d). This can be attributed to the effect of arch action on the behavior of the
reinforced concrete curved beams. Consequently, curved beam with (a/d) ratio less than two can be
considered as a deep beam.
Table (9) Effect of decreasing angle of load on the ultimate load.

Angle of load 43
30 15 7.5
(degree) (At center)
a/d 6.25 4.36 2.18 1.1
Ultimate load (kN) 155 159 197 280
% of increase in
0 2.6 27 80.6
ultimate load

14
 300 300
At 7.5
250 degree 250
At 15 degree

200 At 30 degree 200

Load (kN)

Load (kN)
At 43 degree 150
150
(Center)
100
100

50
50

0
0
0 2 4 6 8
0 5 10 15 20 25
Deflection under load (mm) (a/d) ratio

Fig.(21) Effect of angle of load on load- Fig.(22) Influence of (a/d) ratio on the
deflection behavior of curved beams. ultimate load due to change the angle of load.

6. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the finite element analysis curried out in the present research on the
behavior of reinforced concrete horizontally curved deep beams, the following conclusions can be
drawn:
1. The three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model, adopted in the present work, is
suitable to predict the behavior of the reinforced concrete curved deep beams. Application of this
model is beneficial in spite of the difficulties arising due to the difference in representation of data
between the polar coordinate system and Cartesian coordinate system. The numerical results are in
good agreement with available experimental load-deflection results throughout the entire range of
behavior.
2. The ultimate load resisted by curved beams increased as the shear length to effective depth
ratio (a/d) decreased. This increase of ultimate load becomes more effective when the shear length
to effective depth ratio (a/d) was lower than two. Consequently, curved beam with (a/d) ratio less
than two can be considered as a deep beams.
3. Varying the central subtended angle (curvature) of curved beams, while the length of these
beams is kept constant, affects the ultimate load significantly. Decreasing the central subtended
angle is found to cause an increase the ultimate load resisted by curved beams. There is no clear
effect for changing the (a/d) ratios on the increase of ultimate load due to decrease of curvature.
4. The effect of internal torsion, acting in the cross section of curved beams, on the ultimate
load decreased as the (a/d) ratio decreased. The ultimate load resisted by curved beams decreases
due to releasing the torsional restraint at one curved beam ends by 22% for (a/d= 4.36 ), while the
decrease is 12% for (a/d= 1.75 ).
5. The increase in the amount of transverse reinforcement causes a corresponding increase in
the ultimate load resisted by curved beams. The effect of the amount of transverse reinforcement on
the ultimate load have been reduced when the (a/d) ratio is less than two. The increase in the
ultimate load resisted by curved beams, due to varying the stirrup's diameter from 6.35 mm to 12
mm, decreases from 9.1% for (a/d= 2.51 ) to 5.2% for (a/d= 1.75 ).
6. Using additional longitudinal bars as a horizontal shear reinforcement leads to increase in
the ultimate load of curved beams. This effect of using additional longitudinal bars is increase with
decreasing of (a/d) ratio. The increase in the ultimate load resisted by curved beams, due to using
four additional longitudinal bars(diameter 12 mm), increases from 3.77% for (a/d= 4.36 ) to 10.5%
for (a/d= 1.75 ).

15
REFERENCES
Al- Tameemi, H. A. A., 2005, "Three-Dimensional Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of
Reinforced Concrete Horizotally Curved Deep Beams ", M.Sc. Thesis. University of Kufa, pp. 105.

Carlos A. F., 2004, " Introduction To Finite Element Methods ", Department of Aerospace
Engineering Sciencesand Center for Aerospace StructuresUniversity of Colorado, U.S.A.

Al- Shaarbaf, I. A. S., 1990, "Three-Dimensional Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of

Reinforced Concrete Beams in Torsion", PH. D. Thesis. University of Bradford, U.K., pp. 323.

Naville, A. M. and Brooks, J. J., 1987, "Concrete Technology", Longman scientific and Technical,
U.K.

Cervenka, V., 1985, "Constitutive Model for Cracked Reinforced Concrete", ACI Journal, Vol. 82,
No. 6, November-December 1985, pp. 877-882.

Chen, 1982, W. F., and Saleeb, A. F., "Constitutive Equations for Engineering Materials : Elasticity
and Modeling ", Vol. 1, John Wiley and Sons, New York, U.S.A., 1982.

Mansur, M. A., and Rangan, B. V., 1981, "Study of Design Methods for Reinforced Concrete
Curved Beams", ACI Journal, Vol. 78. No.3, May-July 1981 pp. 226-231.

Al-Mahiadi. R. S. H., 1979, " Non-linear Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Deep
Beams", Report No. 79, Dept. of Structure Engineering, Cornell University.

Hsu, T. T. C., Inan, M., and Fonticiella, L., 1978, "Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Horizontally
Curved Beams", ACI Journal, Vol. 75, No. 4, April 1978, pp. 112-123.

Badawy, H. E. I, Jordaan, I. J., and McMullen, A. E., 1977 "Effect of Shear on Collapse of Curved
Beams", Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 103, No. ST9, Proc. Paper 13185,
September, pp. 1849-1866.

Cook, R. D.,1974, "Concept and Application of Finite Element Analysis", John Wiley and Sons,
Inc., New York, U.S.A.

Jordaan, I. J., Khalifa, M. M. A., 1974, and McMullen, A. E., "Collapse of Curved Reinforced
Concrete Beams", Proceedings, ASCE, Vol. 100, ST11, November 1974, pp. 2255-2269.

Khalifa, M. M. A., "Collapse of Reinforced Concrete Beams Curved in Plan", thesis presented to
the University of Calgary, at Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 1972, in partial fulfillment of
requirements for the degree of Master of Science.

NOTATIONS
The following symbols are used in this paper
Scalar
a Shear length of curved beam
b Width of section
Cp Plasticity coefficient
d Distance from extreme compression fiber of concrete to centroid of tensile
reinforcement

16
 d Plastic multiplier
E Modulus of elasticity
Ec Modulus of elasticity of concrete
Es Modulus of elasticity of steel
f Function
fc’ Uniaxial compressive strength of concrete (cylinder test)
G Shear modulus
h Height of section
I1 First stress invariant
I'1 First strain invariant
J Jacobian
J2 Second deviator stress invariant
J'2 Second deviator strain invariant
V Volume
W Weight of a sampling point
I, m, n Direction cosine of principal stresses
u , v, w Displacement components, in x , y and z Cartesian coordinates
x,y,z Cartesian coordinates
o Ratio of plastic torsional capacity to plastic bending capacity for cross section
1 , 2 Tension-stiffening parameters
 Shear retention factor
 Shear strain
 Shear retention parameters
 Strain
cu Ultimate strain
p Effective plastic strain
o Strain corresponding to peak uniaxial compressive stress
 'o Total strain corresponding to the parabolic part of uniaxial compressive stress-strain
curve
 Stress
o Effective stress at onset of plastic deformation
' Effective stress
 Shear stress
 Curvilinear coordinate set

17

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