Discussion on Curve Prestressed Reinforcement Simulation in FEA

Considering the slender property, the reinforcement is always simulated by linear element in conventional FEA of concrete structures. But to the curve prestressed reinforcement, it will lead to the problem that the calculated result of local stress distribution is greatly affected by element size, because of the tectonic stress concentration by the coupling between the linear element and body element. To eliminate the harmful effect, the curve prestressed reinforcement can be simulated by body element. The result shows that it will solve the problem thoroughly, and the calculated result is truthful and reliable. Certainly, as a kind of slender component, there are some key point must be recognized when the curve prestressed reinforcement is simulated by body element. To reflect the mechanical properties of prestressed reinforcement and solve the key challenges of modeling, some key techniques of modeling and some special notices about element property settings are discussed detailedly in this paper.