Analysis of hysteretic behavior of anchored reinforcing bars

This paper represents the analysis of the hysteretic behavior of anchored reinforcing bars with a new finite element model. The finite element is based on the interpolation of the steel stress distribution and, thus, is flexibility-based. It is characterized by robust and stable numerical behavior even in the presence of significant strength loss and softening as might be the case with reinforcing bars of insufficient anchorage length. After a brief description of the salient features of the model, the paper establishes the validity of the model by correlation of analytical with experimental results on anchored reinforcing bars under severe load reversals. Several parametric studies are presented in order to study analytical features of the model, such as sensitivity to mesh refinement and number of integration points. A second objective of the parametric studies is to investigate the effect of key material parameters on the hysteretic behavior of anchored reinforcing bars.