Finite element analysis of diagonal tension failure of reinforced concrete beams is performed using the Multi Equivalent Series Phase Model, and the failure mechanism is discussed by analyzing the numerical results. The first series of analysis shows that in order…
Finite element analysis of diagonal tension failure of reinforced concrete beams is performed using the Multi Equivalent Series Phase Model, and the failure mechanism is discussed by analyzing the numerical results. The first series of analysis shows that in order for diagonal tension failure of the beam to complete the longitudinal splitting crack should propagate unstably, leading to widening and propagation of the diagonal crack. In the subsequent series, a branch-switching analysis is performed to simulate diagonal tension failure of a reinforced concrete beam, assuming that the failure results from a bifurcation starting at a singular (bifurcation or limit) point on the equilibrium path. Adopting the branch-switching method using a scaled corrector, the analysis succeeds in exiting bifurcation modes of failure. But the analysis fails in simulating unstable propagation of diagonal cracks because of stress-locking and crack diffusion, which are typical mesh dependencies in finite element fracture analysis.