Improved smeared panel element for reinforced concrete under shear and flexure

A baseline fixed strut-angle model (FSAM), satisfying the conditions of equilibrium, compatibility, and constitutive laws was previously proposed to model the shear panel elements. However, the existing FSAM doesnt converge after yielding of transverse reinforcement for the unequally reinforced panels under monotonic loading. Moreover, the tensile law of concrete cannot accurately define behaviour after the yielding of steel. In the current work, a simple and efficient tension stiffening model for concrete is proposed and validated against test results available in the literature. A plane stress element is developed using the proposed model and is incorporated into the finite element framework.