Strain-Softening of Laterally Reinforced Concrete Panels in Compression

Abstract

Understanding the strain-softening behavior of concrete provides an essential key for numerical modeling. The strain-softening response depends, among other influences, on the degree of lateral constraint. In this paper the behavior of concrete panels with constraint provided by lateral in-plane reinforcement subjected to uniaxial compression is studied. Two different concrete strengths (41 and 87 MPa) were investigated. Results given pertain to compressive strength, axial and lateral strain at the ultimate, the effect of reinforcement ratio and reinforcement spacing, and the influence of panel width and thickness. To minimize boundary constraint the panels were tested using a lubricant to reduce friction between loading platens and the specimen. A combined feedback signal of the applied force and the axial specimen displacement provided a stable postpeak response. An existing model is used for predicting complete stress-strain curves of plain and reinforced normal-strength panels.