Steel-Concrete Bond Behavior Through Push-In Tests and Nonlinear Finite Element Simulations
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This study addresses the critical need for an improved understanding of steel-concrete bond behavior under compressive stress, a condition prevalent in structural joints but under-represented by standard pull-out tests. The primary objective is to investigate the failure mechanisms of reinforced concrete specimens under quasi-static shear loading through a dual experimental and numerical approach. Experimentally, three reinforced concrete specimens were tested to provide a robust basis for numerical calibration. Subsequently, an extensive nonlinear 2D finite element analysis (FEA) using the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) framework was conducted to systematically evaluate the sensitivity of bond behavior to parameters such as concrete strength, dilation, and embedment length. The calibrated model demonstrates high reliability in predicting push-in responses. Findings reveal a critical transition in failure mechanisms, from ductile interfacial slip in shorter embedment lengths to brittle splitting failure in longer ones. Furthermore, while increased concrete strength and dilation angles enhance ultimate load capacity, shorter embedment lengths ensure more uniform stress distribution and superior bond efficiency. The novelty of this research lies in demonstrating that push-in testing offers a more representative evaluation of steel–concrete interaction than traditional methods, providing essential insights for the safer design of complex structural connections and high-density reinforcement zones.
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