Environmental Impact on Damage Prediction and Structural Response Simulation in Reinforced Concrete Elements

Department of Mechanical Engineering, VISTAS, India

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Published online: 2 March 2026

Abstract

This work developed modeling the environmentally-induced mechanical behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) components, and the aim of structural safety as well as ecological sustainability. Through Finite Element Modeling (FEM), the current RC structures are recreated digitally where the response of the structural building to mechanical and environmental stressors is evaluated. The study focuses on the interplay of corrosion, carbonation, freeze thaw and urban pollutants. The models of damage such as Mazars, Lemaitre and Continuum Damage Mechanics are modified to accommodate material degradation because of exposure on the environment as well as climate change. Four beams of different degrees of damage were experimented in the laboratories and simulations were done using ANSYS 14.5. The framework is used to predict such critical phenomena as crack propagation, strain localization, and fatigue, and provides insight on eco-sensitive deterioration. Simulations are used to derive key performance indicators such as the degradation of stiffness, energy dissipation, failure under sustainable loads, etc. The results are supposed to inform climate-resistant retrofitting programs, which encourage resilient, low impact material and performance evaluation over the long-term. Eventually, this production contributes to the development of sustainable infrastructure management by integrating the environmental concerns into the structural design and maintenance.