A finite element model with discrete embedded elements for fibre reinforced composites

This work presents a numerical approach to simulate the behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete, FRC. The adopted strategy comprises three main steps: (i) assessing the fibre pullout behaviour; (ii) generation of “virtual” fibre structures and (iii) modelling FRC as a two-phase material. The concrete phase is simulated with a smeared crack model, while the fibre’s positioning and orientation correspond to the fibre phase and are obtained from step ii. Finally, the fibre reinforcement mechanisms are modelled with the micro-mechanical behaviour laws obtained in step i. The agreement between the numerical and experimental results revealed the high predictive performance of the developed numerical strategy.