Numerical modelling of concrete reinforced with fibers coming from the end-of-life tires

Steel fibres are increasingly used in concrete structural applications. Mainly the manufactured fibres are used, meanwhile the waste like steel cord coming from the end-of-life tires could also be applied. One of the barrier of its application is the lack of an experimental data and numerical simulations indicating for their positive effect of concrete ductility. The paper presents numerical simulations performed in GiD and Atena software, aiming at the adaptation of the existing material model of FRC for the recycled steel fibres reinforced concrete analysis. Numerical modelling was based on experimental tests previously performed on RSFRC beams. Three various dosages of recycled fibres have been chosen during the fabrication of concrete mix, namely 30 kg/m³, 40 kg/m³ and 60 kg/m³. Selected parameters of FRC material model have been modified during the inverse analysis until matching the experimental performance of RSFRC. Comparable results have been obtained for both numerical and experimental tests indicating the appropriate selection of material coefficients. Indeed, our findings confirm the applicability of FRC material model available in Atena software for RSFRC simulations.