Product Overview:
This tutorial focuses on the simulation of a reinforced concrete beam with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) under four-point bending conditions using Abaqus. The concrete beam is modeled as a three-dimensional solid part, while the FRP is represented as a shell structure configured in two orientations with varying rotation angles.

In this analysis, the FRP material is characterized by its elastic properties, including failure stress and Hashin’s damage criterion. Accurately modeling and predicting damage in the concrete beam necessitates the use of an appropriate material model, which is defined in the input file to simulate damage propagation under bending loads. A dynamic explicit procedure is implemented as the chosen approach for this analysis. Surface-to-surface contact is established between the concrete beam and all rigid bodies, with the interaction between the concrete and FRP assumed to be a perfect contact without any separation. Fixed boundary conditions are applied to the two rigid bodies acting as supports. A displacement load is introduced to the upper rigid bodies with a smooth amplitude to ensure a gradual application of force. The quality of the mesh significantly influences crack propagation.

Throughout the simulation, various results, including stress, strain, damage, and displacement for both the concrete beam and the different FRP layouts, can be obtained.