A finite element model with discrete embedded elements for fibre reinforced composites

Abstract

This work presents a numerical approach to simulate the behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete, FRC. The adopted strategy comprises three main steps: i) assessing the fibre pullout behaviour; ii) generation of “virtual” fibre structures and iii) modelling FRC as a two-phase material. The concrete phase is simulated with a smeared crack model, while the fibre’s positioning and orientation correspond to the fibre phase and are obtained from step ii. Finally, the fibre reinforcement mechanisms are modelled with the micromechanical behaviour laws obtained in step i. The agreement between the numerical and experimental results revealed the high predictive performance of the developed numerical strategy.