Damage mechanism of existing RC slabs with reinforcing steel plate

The purpose of this study was to clarify the damage mechanisms of existing reinforced concrete ( RC) slabs with reinforcing steel plates through the use of a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis. An actual wheel load running test was simulated. Two panels of RC slab were cut from existing bridges and were used as the test specimens. Simulation models were built for each specimen with different modeling concepts for the rebar; RC elements, and solid elements. After the wheel load running simulations, the strains were examined through use of the strain contours at various cross sections. In the model using solid element for the rebars, the mechanisms for the generation and development of the horizontal cracks were analyzed in detail. Furthermore, the strain components of the referential elements were carefully analyzed for different loading cycles and positions. Although the decisive cause of the horizontal crack has not been clarified yet, the crack development processes were mostly demonstrated through this study.