Stochastic finite element based reliability analysis of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) corbels

Corbels are significant structural elements in construction sector and it is critical connection region between beams and columns or walls, especially in industrial buildings. Therefore its mechanical behavior directly influences the safety of the related structure. Use of steel fiber as secondary reinforcement in reinforced concrete corbels is a good option to achieve ductility without any loss in load carrying capacity. This thesis investigates mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) corbels. A detailed research was carried out on SFRC corbels. Experimental, Finite Element (FE), Stochastic and Reliability analyses of SFRC corbels were carried out for the thesis studies. As a result of experimental and finite element analyses, mechanical outputs of SFRC corbels were interpreted and rules were proposed for the prediction of failure mode and crack pattern of SFRC corbels. Moreover, suitable probability distribution function, resistance factor and statistical parameters (bias factor and coefficient of variation value) were proposed as a result of stochastic and reliability analyses. A numerical formulation was proposed for the prediction of load carrying capacity of SFRC corbels in the content of thesis studies. Numerical model exhibit good fit with the results from the literature and parametric studies implemented on the model shows that it can be used for the ultimate load capacity of SFRC corbels safely.