Numerical and experimental investigation of concrete with various dosages of fly ash

Abstract

The nonlinear behavior of reinforced fly ash concrete (RFAC) beams until the ultimate failure is highly a multifaceted phenomenon due to the contention of heterogeneous material properties and the cracking behavior of concrete. This paper represents an exploration of nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete beams with the inclusion of fly ash under flexural loading. Finite element modelling of RFAC beams is carried out using a distinct reinforcement modelling method. The capability of the model to capture the critical crack regions, loads and deflections for various loadings in RFAC beams has been evaluated. Comparison is made between experimental results and finite element modelling with respect to crack formation and the ultimate capacity for flexural loading and mid-span deflection. The achieved results in the present study indicate acceptable approximation with those in the previous investigations.

Keywords

• fly ash
• concrete cube
• concrete beam
• reinforced concrete
• finite element modelling