Relevant achievements on the activities of fib WP 2.4.1 for Modelling of Fibre Reinforced Concrete Structures

Abstract

The fib WP 2.4.1 is a technical committee of the fib organization (https://www.fibinternational.org/commissions/com2-analysis-design.html) dedicated to the development of methodologies for the design of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) structures using computer programs based, mainly, on the finite element method (FEM). For taking advantage of the fibre reinforcement, these computer programs should simulate the relevant fibre resisting mechanisms, mainly the ones that increase the post-cracking tensile capacity of cement-based materials. Several challenges are, however, faced for assuring reliable simulations, namely: 1) the knowledge of the stress-crack opening simulating correctly the post-cracking tensile behaviour of the FRC of the structure to be designed; 2) modelling the contribution of fibre reinforcement in structures failing in shear, punching or torsion; 3) level of accuracy of these models on performing the serviceability and ultimate limit state design verifications; 4) guarantee results independent of the refinement of the finite element mesh; 5) design format (characteristic, average or design values for the material properties). To contribute for a proper handling of some of these challenges, the fib WP 2.4.1 has been coordinating a series of blind simulation competitions, whose relevant objectives and results are described in this paper. The vison on the use of this information for deriving information useful in the design of FRC structures is also provided.