Modeling Reinforcement in Abaqus | Abaqus concrete simulation

A guideline for modeling Abaqus concrete, reinforced concrete finite element analysis, and rebar Abaqus modeling is presented in this post. When modeling concrete, in most situations, you probably need to define steel reinforcement to follow the tensional behaviour of the structure. In general, you have two options:

– Modeling reinforcements as individual parts such as solids or beams or trusses and adding them to the main concrete made part. This can be done by using embedded region constraints.

– Using the Abaqus Rebar layers concept, which is the best way to model concrete reinforcement. Here we introduce the second method.

Here we will learn:

Abaqus rebar element concept to define reinforcements.

Defining rebar layers in Abaqus/CAE

How to use rebars for shell and membrane (structural) elements.

How to use rebars for continuum (solid) elements

⭐⭐⭐ Abaqus Course | ⏰10 hours Video  👩‍🎓+1000 Students   ♾️ Lifetime Access ✅ Module by Module Training                                  ✅ Standard/Explicit Analyses Tutorial ✅ Subroutines (UMAT) Training                    …           ✅ Python Scripting Lesson & Examples …………………………                 …………………….. ……………   ……………………………………..Start Abaqus Course

Using structural elements to specify rebar layers | Rebar Abaqus

We can define reinforcement in structural elements (shell, membrane, and surface elements) by directly specifying a rebar layer in the element. Continue reading to know more about Abaqus concrete.

If you do not know the difference between shell and membrane elements, look at this Q&A:

What is the Rebar layer?

Abaqus Rebar layers are used for modeling uniaxial reinforcement in shell, membrane and surface elements. Their material properties are independent of those of the underlying elements. The rebar layer volume is not subtracted from the volume of the element to which the rebar layer is added. Thus, rebar layers should be used only when the volume fraction of reinforcement is small. Such as with reinforced concrete (Abaqus concrete model), where the volume fraction of the rebar is between 1% and 4%).

We can define as many different combinations and orientations of rebar layers as are needed within a single element. They have material properties that are distinct from those of the underlying or host element.

Defining rebar layers in Abaqus/CAE

When you create homogeneous shell sections, composite shell sections, membrane sections, or surface sections, you can define one or more layers of reinforcement (rebar) by using the Rebar Layers option.

1. From the Options field of the shell, membrane, or surface section editor, click Rebar Layers… icon. 

The Abaqus Rebar Layers dialog box appears.

Specify the type of rebar geometry.

• • Choose Constant for a constant rebar spacing.
  • Choose Angular if the rebar spacing varies as a function of radial position in a cylindrical coordinate system.

2. In the table, enter a row of data for each rebar layer:

1. • Name: the name of the rebar layer (to identify the layer in the list of section points when post-processing in the Visualization module).
   • Material: the name of the material forming the rebar layer. Click the arrow that appears to display the list of available materials, and select the material you created before forming the rebar layer.
   • Area: the cross-sectional area per bar.
   • Spacing: the rebar spacing in the plane of the section. For angular rebar spacing, specify the spacing angle in degrees.
   • Orientation: the angular orientation of the rebar (in degrees) relative to the 1-direction of the rebar reference orientation.
   • Position (not applicable for membrane/surface): the position in the shell thickness direction measured from the middle surface of the shell.

Specifying rebar geometry

We always define the rebar geometry with respect to a local coordinate system. The Abaqus rebar geometry can be constant or vary as a function of radial position in a cylindrical coordinate system. In each case, you must specify the spacing, s, and angular orientation, α, of the rebar with respect to this local system.

Output for rebar elements

Abaqus/CAE supports visualization of rebar layer orientations and results in rebar layers. The output of variables such as stresses and strains at the rebar integration points is available on a layer-by-layer basis. Remember to request outputs for rebars when defining a step:

Using Rebar layers in Solid elements

When defining reinforcement in a solid concrete part, we follow this procedure:

1. Using structural elements to specify rebar layers

To use Abaqus rebar layers later for solid elements, first, we specify either membrane or surface elements with rebar layers.

2. Embedding structural elements in Solid elements

Then, we use embedded element constraints to reinforce solid elements. In this technique, we embed either surface or membrane elements reinforced with rebar layers in the solid host elements in an arbitrary manner such that the two meshes need not match. Use Embedded region constraint to accomplish:

When selecting the Whole Model, Abaqus searches the elements in the vicinity of the embedded elements for elements that contain embedded nodes. After that, the embedded nodes are constrained by the response of these host elements. To preclude certain elements from constraining the embedded nodes, you can define a host element set (Select Region).

How to learn Abaqus for civil engineering topics?

If you are a civil student or researcher in the field of structural engineering, you may encounter some problems in the field of concrete modeling, cohesive modeling, composite and FRP reinforcement modeling, concrete damage plasticity or ductile damage modeling and so on. As you know, Abaqus software has lots of capabilities to simulate all the above topics but creating the correct model is a little complicated. You can learn all related topics in the “Abaqus for beginners | Abaqus tutorial for civil engineers“.

⭐⭐⭐ Abaqus Course | ⏰10 hours Video  👩‍🎓+1000 Students   ♾️ Lifetime Access ✅ Module by Module Training                                  ✅ Standard/Explicit Analyses Tutorial ✅ Subroutines (UMAT) Training                    …           ✅ Python Scripting Lesson & Examples …………………………                 …………………….. …………………….   …………………………….Start Abaqus Course

Quiz Time!

1. We can embed rebar elements directly in continuum elements. (True/False)
2. The rebar layer volume is subtracted from the volume of the element added to. (True/False)
3. Abaqus/CAE supports visualization of results in rebar layers. (True/False)
4. We define must the position of the rebars in the thickness direction for shell/membrane elements (True/False)
5. The rebar can have material properties that are distinct from those of the underlying element. (True/False)
6. The rebar geometry can vary as a function of circumferential position in a cylindrical coordinate. (True/False)
7. Stresses and strains at the rebar integration points are available in the results by default. (True/False)

It would be useful to see Abaqus Documentation to understand how it would be hard to start an Abaqus simulation without any Abaqus tutorial.

Eager to hear from You…

Any complication or other questions? Feel free to comment here…

You can also send any new questions from the Questions and Answers page. Just find that blue Ask Question button at the top right corner…

(function(d,u,ac){var s=d.createElement(‘script’);s.type=’text/javascript’;s.src=’https://a.omappapi.com/app/js/api.min.js’;s.async=true;s.dataset.user=u;s.dataset.campaign=ac;d.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)[0].appendChild(s);})(document,147270,’o0s0fnxsbye3r5kkmvvq’);

✅ Subscribed students	+80,000
✅ Upcoming courses	+300
✅ Tutorial hours	+300
✅ Tutorial packages	+100