This paper shows the development of a mechanical model to reinforced concrete analysis based on the finite element method, taking into account the non-linear material behavior with shear strength mechanisms, such as shear reinforcement and dowel action. These mechanisms are coupled to a damage model for concrete to better represent the material stiffness loss, as well as the global response of beams. Numerical examples are presented to validate the model, verifying the importance of these contributions, mainly for hyperstatic beams with high span-to-depth ratio.
Finite element method; damage; complementary mechanisms; shear strength; beams