Simulating the effect of elevated temperature on the compressive strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) using ANSYS workbench

The behavior of concrete structures at elevated temperatures is of significant importance in predicting the safety of structures in response to certain accidents or particular service conditions. The behavior of M50 Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) at 28-days strength subjected to elevated temperatures was simulated using ANSYS 2020 R2 Workbench, and results validated with experimental results from a referenced Journal. M50 concrete at 28-days was modelled along with steel fibers from 0 to 4% by weight of cement. Models were made and subjected at room temperature, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500°C from ANSYS Workbench Static Structural module. The concrete matrix was modelled as solid body, while the steel fiber reinforcement as line bodies, the new ANSYS reinforcement workflow that allows for simulating proper bond between concrete and rebar was utilized. Compressive strength results were determined as Average Von-misses stress and results validates that obtained from the referenced literature. This work has developed results with variations compared to the experimental work largely below 5% and has given important reasons to assert that results obtained from experimental works can be obtained with FE simulations and that laboratory works can be simulated with FE programs to cut down on cost and time associated with the former. In other words ANSYS Workbench program is a good validatory tool for similar experimental research.