A study on the standard 8-node solid finite element for nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete containment

The objective of this research is to investigate the elasto-plastic solid element model for the safety assessment of the nuclear containment buildings and finally to implement into the computer module. For this purpose, 8-node solid element has been formulated with elasto-plastic reinforced concrete material model based on the Drucker-Prager failure criteria. The material model has employed standard plasticity theories, isotropic hardening model, associated plastic flow rule, 3-dimensional cracking criteria, concrete tensile softening model, shear transfer model due to aggregate interaction and compressive strength reduction factor. The stress-strain curves for reinforcement steel are generally used bi-linear hardening model in tension and compression. Several benchmark tests have been employed to validate developed elasto-plastic material model. The research result throughout this study can be directly used as basis information for the development of numerical analysis system for the nuclear containment buildings and general reinforced concrete structures