Validation of a damage model for the non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete structures

Validation of a damage model for the non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete structures. This work presents a discussion on the employment of a damage model recently proposed for concrete and other damage models in the non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete structures. The validation of the model is obtained by the comparison between numerical responses and experimental ones. The model proposed by Pituba regards concrete as an initially isotropic medium that starts to present plastic deformations, bimodularity and anisotropy induced by the damage. The model proposed by Mazars considers concrete to be an elastic and isotropic medium. Next, the model proposed by La Borderie is presented. This isotropic damage model takes into account plastic deformations induced by the damage. In the second part of the work, the models are used in the analysis of reinforced concrete structures, where the numerical responses are compared with experimental ones. The results evidence the good performance of the damage models on the simulation of the behavior of reinforced concrete structures. In particular, the employment of the damage model proposed by Pituba is valid. It is noted that the simple formulations of damage models can present results with good accuracy leading to possible practical applications in Structural Engineering.