Ghannoum, M; Assaad, J; Daaboul, M and El-Mir, A (2025) Deterministic and stochastic finite element modeling of reinforced concrete beams without stirrups containing plastic wastes. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 43(4), pp. 614-632. ISSN 2398-4708
Abstract
Purpose: The use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics derived from shredded bottles in concrete is not formalized yet, especially in reinforced members such as beams and columns. The disposal of plastic wastes in concrete is a viable alternative to manage those wastes while minimizing the environmental impacts associated to recycling, carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption. Design/methodology/approach: This paper evaluates the suitability of 2D deterministic and stochastic finite element (FE) modeling to predict the shear strength behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups. Different concrete mixtures prepared with 1.5%–4.5% PET additions, by volume, are investigated. Findings: Test results showed that the deterministic and stochastic FE approaches are accurate to assess the maximum load of RC beams at failure and corresponding midspan deflection. However, the crack patterns observed experimentally during the different stages of loading can only be reproduced using the stochastic FE approach. This later method accounts for the concrete heterogeneity due to PET additions, allowing a statistical simulation of the effect of mechanical properties (i.e. compressive strength, tensile strength and Young's modulus) on the output FE parameters. Originality/value: Data presented in this paper can be of interest to civil and structural engineers, aiming to predict the failure mechanisms of RC beams containing plastic wastes, while minimizing the experimental time and resources needed to estimate the variability effect of concrete properties on the performance of such structures.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | deterministic; finite element modeling; polyethylene terephthalate; reinforced concrete beams; shear strength; stochastic; waste plastics |
| Index terms: | beam, energy consumption, variability, estimate, modelling, loading, stirrup, recycling, plastic, reinforced concrete beam, shear strength, reinforced concrete, environmental impact, methodology, structural engineer, tensile strength, suitability, carbon dioxide emission, finite element modelling, column, compressive strength, mechanical property |
| Subjects: | profession, building materials, energy systems, financial and cost management, material properties and characteristics, design criteria, statistical analysis, environmental impact, waste management, materials science, climate science, construction operations, analytical methods, structural engineering, research methods, material analysis and testing |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Site Management, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Cost Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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