Impact of Dilation Angle and Viscosity on the Ultra-High Performance Concrete Behavior in Abaqus

Abaqus CAE is one of the structural analysis software using the finite element method. This program is used to analyze the conventional concrete and high-strength concrete members. Ultra high-performance concrete (UHPC) is characterized by its high compressive strength and relatively high tensile strength, as well as ductile behavior upon failure compared to conventional concrete. The numerical analysis of beams depends on the material modeling, which, in turn, relies on some parameters. Among these parameters available in the concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model in Abaqus are the dilation angle and the viscosity parameters. This paper deals numerically with the influence of these two parameters used in defining the CDP model of UHPC T-beams under four-point loading. The findings show that the CDP model can simulate the UHPC behavior under loading. The viscosity and dilation angle have a significant role in determining the beam’s capacity in the analysis. Raising the viscosity parameter increases the beam’s capacity for loading and deflection when the dilation angle is constant. Similarly, expanding the dilation angle increases the beam’s capability slightly when the viscosity is kept constant.