Tension Stiffening Essay

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2.1.8.5.2. Tension stiffening models in finite element method:
The phenomenon of concrete to carry tension even after cracking is represented in a finite element model by the use of tension stiffening. The tension stiffening effect improves the accuracy of the finite element (FE) models in representing cracks and, in some cases, improves the numerical stability of the solution. The tension stiffening effect must be estimated; it depends on such factors as the density of reinforcement, the quality of the bond between the rebar and the concrete, the relative size of the concrete aggregate compared to the rebar diameter, and the mesh. A reasonable starting point for relatively heavily reinforced concrete modeled with a fairly detailed mesh is to assume that the strain softening after failure reduces the stress linearly to zero at a total strain of about 10 times the strain at failure. The strain at failure in standard concretes is typically 10-4 (εcr), which suggests that tension stiffening that reduces the stress to zero at a total strain of about 10-3 is reasonable. This parameter should be calibrated before usage in any model. …show more content…

Tension stiffening in steel reinforced members was most commonly taken into account by either modifying the stress-strain response of the steel bar or by accounting for the tensile contribution of concrete after cracking by using a descending branch. The former 'tension stiffening strain' approach had been adopted by the CEB-FIP model code (CEB 1978, 1993) and the latter 'load-sharing' approach was first considered nearly a century ago by (Considere, 1899). The authors determined that tension stiffening was independent of concrete strength and reinforcement ratio as long as shrinkage was taken into account in the analysis of the member response. (Kharal,

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