In this tutorial, the dynamic bending simulation of an Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) beam with an initial void, reinforced using CFRP rods and epoxy, is carried out in Abaqus. The beam, CFRP rods, and epoxy adhesive are all modeled as three-dimensional solid parts, while two rigid shells represent hydraulic jacks applying the load.

UHPFRC is a highly advanced cement-based composite with superior mechanical properties, including very high compressive strength, durability, and ductility. To capture its complex behavior under dynamic bending, the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model is applied. This model accounts for both tensile cracking and compressive crushing.

The CFRP rods are modeled with orthotropic elastic properties, and the epoxy is defined using a traction-separation cohesive behavior with damage initiation and evolution to simulate possible debonding. Dynamic loading is applied using an explicit step, along with mass scaling to control the simulation time and inertia effects. Surface-to-surface contact defines interaction between jacks and beam, while tie constraints ensure bonding between epoxy and surrounding materials.

Fixed boundary conditions are applied at both ends of the beam, and displacement loads are applied via rigid jacks. A refined mesh is used to ensure accurate stress, strain, and damage results. After the simulation all results such as stress, strain, damage in epoxy and concrete, force-displacement diagram, … are available.