Analysis of RC Membrane Elements With Anisotropic Reinforcement

The effect of skew, anisotropic reinforcement on the post‐cracking response and ultimate capacity of RC membrane elements under monotonically increasing proportional loading is studied. Appropriate constitutive models for concrete and steel, including a post‐cracking model, are implemented in a finite element program. An orthogonally reinforced hypothetical RC panel is analyzed first. Upon initial cracking the anisotropic reinforcement causes the principal stress and strain directions of the cracked concrete shift. These shifts, which also depend on the cracked concrete shear stiffness, may cause additional nonorthogonal cracks to develop in later stages of loading. Anisotropically reinforced experimental panels are then analyzed up to failure. The computed results show good correlation with the experimental data. The influence of cracked concrete shear stiffness on the internal load resisting mechanisms and load‐deformation responses is evaluated. The significance of simulating crack shifting behavior for realistic predictions of stiffness, ultimate capacities, and modes of failure for skew, anisotropically reinforced elements is demonstrated.