Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Beams

Two finite element procedures which utilize the constant and the variable stiffness methods are presented. A combination of isoperimetric elements and bar elements is used for the representation of reinforced concrete plane elements. The analysis includes the effects of the propagation of cracking as well as the yielding of both steel and concrete. The analytical results of both methods are compared to the experimental results of others. The constant stiffness method is found to be inaccurate for the problems involving the prediction of cracking. Direct use of corner nodes is made in the computation of stiffness of the cracked element and the unbalanced nodal forces due to cracking or yielding.