Checking the Load Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Corbel Through Elastic-Linear Numerical Analyses with Finite Element Modeling

Short and very short corbels are commonly used as beam-column connection of precast, metallic, or composite concrete structures. Since the assumptions of beam theory does not apply in some of their regions, their analysis and design need to be meticulously performed, requiring the use of a strut-and-tie model or a friction-shear model. Due to the continuous technological advancement, it is possible to describe the behavior of these elements through structural analysis software. Therefore, the present study aims to compare the results of the computational analysis of one of the corbels tested by Fattuhi (1994), modelled using the finite element method (FEM) in SAP 2000 software, with the analyses performed on the same element using a strut-and-tie method based on NBR 9062:2027 and a truss containing the compressed strut and tie in its spans, based on what is stated in NBR 6118:2023 regarding the stresses developed in corbels. The results obtained suggest that the modelled corbel exhibited similar behaviour to that found through standards, also indicating shear failure due to insufficient longitudinal reinforcement and lack of transverse reinforcement. Thus, it can be concluded that the FEM modelling satisfactorily simulated the behaviour of the reinforced concrete corbel, resulting in values that were satisfactorily close to those observed in reality.