Abstract:
Stainless steel (SS) is becoming increasingly popular as reinforcement across the
globe, owing to its superior mechanical and durability properties. This study
numerically investigates the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with
stainless steel. Primarily, the experimental results are validated by developing 3D
finite element (FE) models with stainless steel rebars, considering the actual test
data. In the modelling process, 8-node brick element for concrete and 2-node beam
element for reinforcement were employed in the finite element model. The numerical
results are presented in terms of load displacement response, yield, and ultimate
capacity with respective deformation, ductility, etc. The numerical results depicted
reasonably good precision in predicting the load deformation response and ultimate
load of the concrete beam reinforced with stainless-steel. The models have been
regenerated for concrete beams with conventional mild steel to investigate the
comparative behaviour in terms of significant changes in their load-carrying capacity
and the corresponding ultimate deformation. Results revealed that the peak loads
remained approximately the same for 30 MPa and 40 MPa concrete strengths,
although the stainless-steel reinforced beams showed greater deformability and
ductility. In addition, a parametric study of reinforced concrete beam models
consisting of Grade 201 stainless steel rebars and 60-grade mild steel rebars with
varying concrete grades of 30 MPa, 40 MPa, and 50 MPa was also performed to
inspect their influence on the initial stiffness, ductility, and ultimate load-carrying
capability of the concrete beams. The numerical response rendered that beams
reinforced with stainless steel provide similar ultimate flexural capacity with
improved stiffness and ductility in contrast to that of the mild steel rebars.
