Reinforcing bars modelling using a rod–solid interface element without the need for mesh compatibility

This paper presents a finite element methodology for modelling solid media with any number of straight or curved reinforcing bars (rebars). The formulation can handle rebars arbitrarily located within a 2D or 3D finite element mesh without the need for nodal compatibility. A new continuous rod–solid interface (or joint) element is developed to connect bulk elements to the rebars, including a method that directly considers the relative...