Finite Element Analysis of External Prestressing Beams Made of Strain Hardening Material

Abstract

The use of finite element analysis has been widely used as a means to analyze individual elements and the effects of concrete strength under loading. This paper is a study of prestressed concrete beams made of strain hardening material called UHP-SHCC (Ultra High Performance Strain Hardening Cementitious Composite) using finite element analysis to understand their response. A finite element model is studied and compared to experimental data. The basic parameters included second order effect of prestressed beam, and prestressing tendon depths have been considered in the analysis. The present study indicated the following conclusions: the number of deviators significantly influences the ultimate capacity and the strains values of UHP-SHCC beams, the change of external prestressing tendon depth has a significant effect on the cracking load, failure load, deflection values, and ultimate stress in the tendon in case of using UHP-SHCC beams but keep the final mode of failure without change.