Cracking Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Plates

This paper develops an elastic-post elastic anlaysis for the response of reinforced plates of a tension-weak material such as concrete under small deflection theory limitations. The finite element displacement method of discretization is utilized, and a layered model is chosen to allow for different arrangements of reinforcing. As the load is progressively increased, cracking or crushing of the concrete layers and yielding of the steel layer can occur. New constitutive relations are derived to represent this behavior. Concrete is assumed to follow a maximum normal stress criterion in tension, and a von Mises criterion in compression. The steel is assumed to follow the von Mises criterion. Loading is applied incrementally as cracking and crushing occur progressively through the thickness and across the surface of the plate.