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Finite Element Modelling of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

Finite Element Modelling of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams

Emmanuel Oppong Boakye, Jack Banahene Osei*, Mark Adom-Asamoah
Department of Civil Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
*E-mail Id - [email protected]

Abstract
In the traditional sense, steel has mainly been used as the reinforcement for structural
elements. Nonetheless, concerns over its cost and availability have been raised especially in
developing countries such as Ghana. Although bamboo has been employed as a construction
material in several developing countries, its use has been limited due to the uncertainties
associated with its properties and behaviour. In this paper, the laboratory results of two
different Self-Compacting Concrete beams with beam IDs; SM1.4 BI and SM1.4 BII having
varying shear span-to-depth ratios and percentage reinforcements were verified with a
nonlinear finite computational platform (ABAQUS). The 2m long beams were modelled with
each type of beam dimension reinforced with 1.2% and 1.5% amount of longitudinal bamboo
reinforcement. The load-deflection behaviours of the models were the main benchmarks for
the verification. The failure loads for the models placed the accuracies at 93.52% and
104.69% whilst the ultimate central deflections were 94.26%. and 102.37%. In conclusion,
the finite element models were found to be slightly stiffer than the experimental beams during
the initial stages of loading. Nevertheless, the entire load-deformation response of the model
produced, compares well with the response from the experimental study. This gives
confidence in the use of the ABAQUS software and the model developed.

Keywords: bamboo, ductility, flexure, RC beams, self-compacting concrete

INTRODUCTION 2008; Afrifa et al. 2012). In recent years,

The ever-increasing urbanization that researchers and practitioners have
mainly emanates from rapid population developed a new type of concrete material
growth, particularly in developing called the self-compacting concrete (SCC)
countries, has placed much pressure on the (Okamura and Ouchi, 2003; Adom-
demand for building materials in the Asamoah and Osei, 2018). The concept of
construction sector (Adom-Asamoah et al. SCC and its applications has gained a lot
2017). This has led to use of of recognition in recent years as it makes
unconventional building materials such as construction quite straight forward. Down
steel milled from scrap metals (Subasi and the years, self-compacting concrete has
Cullu, 2006; Adom-Asamoah and gained the attention of researchers
Kankam, 2008), bamboo reinforcement in regarding its general characteristics and
concrete (Ghavami, 2005), phyllite response to external factors as is done with
aggregate waste in concrete (Adom- conventionally vibrated concrete. Existing
Asamoah and Afrifa 2013), palm kernel knowledge is paramount to promoting
shell aggregate in concrete (Alengaram et better understanding of innovative
al. 2008, Acheampong et al. 2015). In developments which stems from creations.
addition to experimental investigation, SCC has been used to construct numerous
others have attempted numerical concrete structures including bridges and
approaches to predict behaviour of these even pre-cast concrete members. An
unconventional materials (Jung and Kim, exemplary project which made use of SCC

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

is the Akashi-Kaikyo Suspension Bridge. theoretical values. Laboratory procedures

Self-compacting concrete is basically fresh investigating into the characteristics of
concrete which bears superior flowability structural members when subjected to
under maintained stability; requiring lesser loading and associated induced stresses,
energy as compared to vibrated concrete. come at an economic cost as it is also
Although the use of self-compacting prone to human errors. For this reason,
concrete may have so many advantages, it there is a need to generate a controlled
has other deficiencies, one being that the environment were testing can be to a
production of self-compacting concrete maximum achievable accuracy. To that
requires a high level of experience and end, advanced numerical and analytical
expertise, which is largely unachievable approaches have proved to be an
for construction projects done in indispensable aid (Faherty, 1972; Yaw et
developing regions like Ghana. More so, al. 2017).
contrasting views on the shear behaviour
of SCC beams have been suggested This paper investigates into the flexural
(Hassan et al. 2010). Nonetheless, the use capacity of bamboo reinforced self-
of existing shear design provisions (Bentz compacting concrete. Several factors make
2004) and other sophisticated models bamboo an alternative material to be
(Bazant and Kim, 1984; Choi and Hong- considered as an alternative for
Gun, 2007) seems preferred in prediction longitudinal reinforcement for steel. It
since database of SCC test specimen is still absorbs a lot of CO₂ during its growth
not representative. cycle while steel gives off lot of CO₂
during production which is a major
To fully understand the properties of this contributor to greenhouse gases. Bamboo
particular concrete type, recent research is durable, environmentally friendly and
works have investigated into its structural cost less. The energy required in
and mechanical properties (Sravana et al. processing bamboo is less than for
2010). Also, different approaches or concrete, wood, and steel. The
methods have been employed to study the environmental and financial comparison
behaviour of structural members which has demonstrates that bamboo can compete
been constructed using such concrete with other building material. To that end,
technology. The two main approaches the focus of this study is to validate
adopted are experimental testing and laboratory test results of two bamboo
numerical modelling. It is desired that reinforced self-compacting concrete
these two approaches have nearly beams, using a nonlinear platform with a
correlated results in order to ensure finite-element modelling formalism. There
adequate assessment of the characteristics are several computational platforms that
of these structural members. In principle, have been previously used to demonstrate
experimental values are desired to be the adequacy of the finite element
higher than theoretical values for safety modelling approach at capturing the
sake. The experimental approach is aimed seemly complex structural behaviour and
at studying the actual or real life performance of concrete beams (Lundgren
responses, with the environment not and Gylltoft, 2000; Solanki et al. 2004;
completely controlled leading to some Poojar and Kumari, 2015). In this research,
degree of inaccuracies with theoretical the ABAQUS program is selected for such
values. The modelling approach measures analysis.
responses ideally to structures under a
controlled environment, whose results METHODOLOGY
normally give higher correlations with Two 2m long SCC beams designed to fail
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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

in flexure were used for the experiment. In subjected to a four-point bending test, with
order to ensure that the beams perform loads applied in monotonically till ultimate
adequate in shear, transverse steel failure. The shear span to depth ratio was
reinforcements of diameter 8mm were kept ranged between 1.5 and 2.5. The
spaced closely together (100mm), thereby concrete compressive strengths were
ensuring that the beams underwent failure constant for all the beams, thus 26MPa.
by bending. All beams had a cross The bamboo reinforcements used
sectional dimension of 110mm x 275mm. possessed a strength of 126.72MPa. Table
Bamboo samples seasoned for about three 1 outlines the properties of the considered
(3) months were obtained for the beams, and Fig. 1 illustrates the
experimental work. The beams were experimental test setup.

Table1. Beam Details

BEAM SPECIMEN av / d  (%)
SM1.4-BI 2.5 1.5
SM1.4-BII 2 1.2
a v / d ; Shear Span/eff. depth ratio,  (%) ; Percentage Bamboo reinforcement, S – Self
Compacting Concrete (SCC) and B – Longitudinal reinforcement ratio I and II –(I) for 1.2
(II) for 1.5

Fig 1. Set-up experimental beam (SM1.4-BI)

Finite Element Modelling modulus and Poisson ratio were set as

Concrete Properties 23965MPa and 0.2 respectively. Concrete
In ABAQUS, the elastic behaviour of the Damage Plasticity model was used to
concrete is modelled considering simple define the multilinear isotropic inelastic
linear elasticity. The plasticity behaviour behaviour of the concrete. It captures
of concrete was modelled with the dilation plasticity through the use of compressive
angle, eccentricity, stress ratio (Fbo /Fco), strength and tensile strength. The figure
Shape of the loading surface (K) and below shows the uniaxial stress-strain
viscosity parameter set at 10, 0.1, 1.16, behaviour of the modelled concrete
0.667 and 0 respectively. The Young element.

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

30

Compressive Stress,
25

20
N/mm2
15

10

0
0 0.0005 0.001 0.0015 0.002 0.0025 0.003

Strain
Fig 2. Uniaxial compressive stress against stress of all beams

Bamboo as reinforcement reinforcement, compression reinforcement

The parameters used to model and depict and stirrups were modelled as beam
the behaviour the bamboo reinforcements elements. The number and size of both
were the Young’s modulus, Poisson ration, tension and compression reinforcements
Yield stress and plastic strain set at were computed using the reinforcement
14900MPa, 0.278, 126MPa, and 0 ratios (1.5% and 1.2%).
respectively.
Assembly
Steel as support and loading plates The various parts (concrete beam, stirrups,
The steel plates were modelled only as reinforcements, steel plates) created, stay
elastic materials whose only inputs were in the model as separated members, they
Young modulus and Poisson ratio set at are assembled by recreating instances in
200000Mpa and 0.3 respectively. The the model and reorienting the parts to
loading plates were made for easy depict the beam during experimental
application of loads as point loads on testing. Figures 3 - 5 below show the
specific nodes. results of assembling the instances into
one unit for both models. After assembling
Steel as shear reinforcements the model, the interaction function is used
The stirrups were modelled with inputs on in order for the parts to act compositely
both elastic properties and yield stress. The and concurrently. During modelling, the
Young’s modulus, Poisson ratio and yield reinforcement cage was used as the
stress were set at 200000 MPa, 0.3 and embedded region for the “host region”
250 N/mm2 respectively. being the concrete beam; this is done to
prevent distortion during loading and
Section modelling motion. For the stirrup creation, contact
Model sections were created and assigned pairs were created for the tension
to the various parts of the constitutive reinforcement-compression reinforcement-
model. The steel plates and concrete beam steel plate-concrete beam and the type of
were modelled as solids whist the tension contact used was “tie”.

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

Fig 3. Assembly for Beam ID SM1.4-BI

Fig 4. Assembly for Beam ID SM1.4-BII

Fig 5. Interaction for reinforcement

Boundary Conditions as pinned and roller. For the roller support,

The boundary conditions imposed during the following boundary conditions were
analysis are essential because it restrains assigned (see Figure 6);
the model to acquire a unique solution, U 2 (Y  Direction)  0 ;
these conditions were place at the loading U 3 ( Z  Direction)  0 ;
points and support positions. In order to
accurately depict the conditions of the lab U R1 ( X  Direction)  0 ;
as well as principles of elementary U R 2 (Y  Direction)  0
structures, the two supports were modelled

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

Fig 6. Boundary condition at roller support

The boundary conditions for the pinned U R1 ( X  Direction)  0 ;

support were (see Figure 7); U R 2 (Y  Direction)  0
U1 ( X  Direction)  0 ;
*U-Translational displacement
U 2 (Y  Direction)  0 ; *UR-Rotational displacement
U 3 ( Z  Direction)  0 ;

Fig 7. Boundary condition at pinned support

Loading was done on nodes, the failure failure load had to be divided by 12 (two
load was divided across the plate and steel plates). Table 2 shows the additional
placed on nodes. Meshing produced six definitions for the two beams modelled;
nodes on each steel plate, and hence

Table 2. Failure load nodal divisions

Beam ID Failure Load(KN) Load per node(KN)
SM1.4-BI 48 4
SM1.4-BII 56 4.667

Meshing element. Meshing was done with a global

This is one of the most important steps in cuboid size of 25mm x 25mm x 22mm,
every finite element analysis procedure, it this was chosen specifically to save
is basically dividing the whole volume computational time. Loading was applied
being modelled into smaller elements in on the nodes of the steel loading plates, the
such a way that all applied loads on failure load was divided across the plate
structure would be distributed uniformly and placed on nodes after meshing (Figure
throughout. The ABAQUS software then 8).
computes solutions over each individual

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

Fig 8. Meshed finite element model

Analysis Type static type approach for analysis was

The choice of analysis type affects the employed for the modelling, and
computational time as well as the degree incremental loading applied at 2KN. Table
of discrepancy between laboratory 3 shows the load steps and time period for
experiment and ABAQUS software. The all experimental beams modelled;

Table 3. Load steps for analysis

Beam ID Time period Maximum number of Increment
increments Initial Minimum Maximum
SM1.4 BI 48 100 2 0.00001 2

SM1.4 BII 56 100 2 0.00001 2

In order to obtain the load deflection curve done if during the modelling phase, the
after analysis, a response history is created material properties, elements and
to record the displacements of the model convergence criteria are set properly to
while is subjected to the monotonic depict the response and behaviour of the
loading. The frequency of recording was structural member. At the point of failure,
set to be the same as the loading the beam no longer could support any
increment. additional load which was indicated by an
insurmountable convergence failure. The
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS failure load for the model placed the
Strength limit state accuracies of the models at 93.52% and
The beams were heavily reinforced in 104.69% whilst the ultimate central
shear to make sure they fail in flexure. The deflections were 94.26% and 102.37%.
behaviour depends on the amount of The ultimate loads and deflections of both
reinforcement, concrete strength, shear computational models and experimental
strength and the shear span-effective depth beams are shown in Table 4 and 5.
ratio of the beam. This can be accurately

Table 4. Deflections and failure loads for beam ID SM1.4 BI

Beam Failure Load(KN) Central Deflection(mm)
Experimental 48 12.38
ABAQUS Model 44.89 11.67

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

Table 5. Deflections and failure loads for beam ID SM1.4 BII

Beam Failure Load(KN) Central Deflection(mm)
Experimental 56 12.7
ABAQUS Model 58.625 13.00085

Load deflection response well with the response from the laboratory.
The full nonlinear load-deformation This gives confidence in the use of the
response can be seen in Figures 9 and 10. ABAQUS software and the model
These responses were calibrated by setting developed. The approach can be used to
response history outputs in the ABAQUS analyse most reinforced concrete beams
software. The entire load-deformation accurately.
response of the model produced compares

SM1.4 BI
60
50
LOAD, KN

40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

MID-SPAN DEFLECTION,mm
ABAQUS EXPERIMENTAL

Fig 9. Experimental/ ABAQUS load defection plot for beam ID SM1.4 BI

SM1.4 BII
70
60
50
LOAD, kN

40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
MID-SPAN DEFLECTION, mm

ABAQUS EXPERIMENTAL

Fig 10. Experimental/ ABAQUS load defection plot for beam ID SM1.4 BI

Behaviour beyond yielding SM1.4 BI. At this point in the response,

Yielding of bamboo reinforcement occurs the displacements of the beam begin to
when a force of 30KN is applied for increase at a higher rate as more load is

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 4 Issue 2

applied. For SM1.4 BII yielding occurred greater deflections to occur at the beam
at 34KN. Beyond this point, the ability of centre-point. Figure 11 depicts the state of
the beam to distribute load throughout the the model after completely yielding.
cross-section diminishes greatly causing

Fig 11. Yielded beam model for beam ID SM1.4 BI

CONCLUSION longitudinal reinforcement increases

The deployment of the numerical approach the ultimate flexural strength and load
(finite element analysis) to model and carrying capacity of the beams.
analyse self-compacting concrete
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