RC beams retrofitted using external bars with additional anchorages–a finite element study

Study on flexural retrofitting of RC beams using external bars with additional intermediate anchorages at soffit is reported in this paper. Effects of varying number of anchorages in the external bars at soffit were studied by finite element analysis using ANSYS 12.0 software. The results were also compared with available experimental results for beam with only two end anchorages. Two sets of reference and retrofitted beam specimens with two, three, four and five anchorages were analysed and the results are reported. FE modeling and non-linear analysis was carried out by discrete reinforcement modeling using Solid65, Solid45 and Link8 elements. Combin39 spring elements were used for modeling the frictional contact between the soffit and the external bars. The beam specimens were subjected to four-point bending and incremental loading was applied till failure. The entire process of modeling, application of incremental loading and generation of output in text and graphical format were carried out using ANSYS Parametric Design Language.