Probabilistic approach to rating the mechanical characteristics of concrete in finite element modeling of reinforced concrete structures

Abstract

The article addresses the pressing issue of transitioning from deterministic design methods for reinforced concrete structures to probabilistic models that require high precision in defining the initial mechanical characteristics of concrete. The authors propose a scientifically grounded approach to standardizing the strength and deformation parameters of concrete, which minimizes subjectivity during data preparation for finite element modeling. The paper presents an algorithm for transforming standard values into the mean values required for numerical analysis in software packages (using Ansys as an example). The proposed approach was verified by comparing the simulation results of a reinforced concrete beam with experimental data. It was found that the discrepancy in ultimate load and maximum deflection does not exceed 5.54%, indicating the high reliability of the proposed methodology. This approach allows design engineers to more accurately account for the actual variability of material properties, thereby increasing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of constructed facilities. The work contributes to the development of numerical model validation methods in structural mechanics.