Modeling nonlinear bond-slip behavior for finite element analyses of reinforced concrete structures

Finite element analyses of reinforced concrete structures should allow some representation of bond stiffness, particularly if there are areas of high shear stress. This paper reviews research on bond stiffness and then brings together earlier work on an efficient algorithm for incorporating bond stiffness in a finite element analysis and a nonlinear bond stiffness model developed from experimental and theoretical studies. The resulting new method is used to analyze pullout tests and the results are compared with experimental data. Good agreement is obtained without resorting to the unlikely notion of ''position-dependent'' stiffnesses adopted by other researchers.