Study of Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Smart Rebars Using Finite Element Modeling

In this paper the response of cantilevered reinforced concrete (rc) beams with smart rebars under static lateral loading has been numerically studied, using finite element method. the material used in this study is superelasticshape memory alloys (se smas) which contains nickel and titanium elements. the se sma is a unique alloy that has the ability to undergo large deformations and return to their undeformed shape by removal of stresses. in this study, different quantities of steel and smart rebars have been used for reinforcement andthe behavior of these models under lateral loading, including their load-displacement curves, residual displacements, and stiffness, were discussed. during lateral loading, rebars yield or concrete crushes in compression zone in some parts of the beams and also residual deflections are created in the structure. it is found that by using sma rebars in rc beams, these materials tend to return to the previous state (zero strain), so they reduce the permanent deformations and also in turn create forces known as recovery forces in the structure which lead into closing of concrete cracks in tensile zone. this ability makes special structures to maintain their serviceability even after a strong earthquake.