Mesoscopic damage evolution on bonding interface and its influence on macroscopic performance deterioration of reinforced concrete member

Abstract

Slip or debonding of bonding interface is the key cause of the performance degradation or failure of the reinforced concrete (RC) member. In this paper, based on Monte Carlo method, a mesoscopic finite element model composed of mortar, coarse aggregate and steel rebar was established to consider the mesoscopic damage on the bonding interface and its influence on macroscopic performance deterioration of RC specimen. The results show that the simulation results fit well with experimental data. Higher initial interfacial damage results in lower bonding strength and smaller final displacement. Higher mortar modulus could greatly improve the initial bonding property and bonding strength, but slightly increase the final damage. Compared with the RC specimen model with plain steel bar, the model with deformed steel bar shows a longer duration of nonlinear increase for drawing force and lower bonding strength. When confinement is applied, the coalescence of damage zones is prevented due to the effect of thread. Therefore, the application of confinement could increase the bonding strength and the initial bonding property.