YIELD CRITERION AND LOADING FUNCTION FOR CONCRETE PLASTICITY

The findings of our continuing efforts during the last decade to develop a rational plasticity-based numerical model for the response and failure prediction of reinforced concrete structures are summarized. Several plasticity-fracture models are implemented in two general purpose finite element codes to evaluate the effect of yield criterion and loading function selections. Four sets of experimental data were considered in the comparative study. The significance of properly modeled loading functions is illustrated by homogeneous deformations as well as two reinforced concrete structural problems. Accurate modeling of stress strain relationships is shown to be of critical importance in the prediction of concrete structural failure.