Nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete flanged beams considering the variation of concrete compressive strength

Beams of reinforced concrete with flanges have been utilized extensively in a lot of applications in structural engineering. The total behavior of this type of member has been studied experimentally and analytically. In this paper, a finite element method-based numerical analysis was used to presented the reinforced concrete’s behavior with flanges during the pre-and post-cracking level of loading up to their ultimate stress. Different types of flanged reinforced concrete beams were analyzed, and the results from finite element (F.E.M) were compared with experimental and analytical data. The impact of concrete’s compressive strength has been examined. In general, excellent agreement has been obtained between the results of finite element and experimental tests. Also studied numerically is the distribution of concrete longitudinal compressive stresses and tensile stresses along the steel reinforcement. It is found that for high-strength concrete, the ACI Code 318M-14 underestimates the collapse moment of flanged reinforced concrete beams.