Maximum-entropy meshfree method for nonlinear static analysis of planar reinforced concrete structures

A meshfree method for nonlinear analysis of two-dimensional reinforced concrete structures subjected to monotonic static loading is presented. The concrete model is implemented in the context of the smeared rotating crack approach. The stress-strain relationship for steel bars accounts for the surrounding concrete bonded to the bar (tension stiffening effect). The principle of virtual work (variational form) is used to setup the nonlinear system of equations. Maximum-entropy basis functions are used to discretize the two-dimensional domain and background cells are adopted to facilitate the numerical integration. The generalized displacement control method is implemented to solve the nonlinear system of equations and to obtain the softened structural response beyond the maximum load capacity. The proposed meshfree methodology is used to study the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete shear walls. Comparisons with experimental data and finite element analysis indicate that the proposed maximum-entropy meshfree method is a viable approach for nonlinear simulations of planar RC structures. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.