An Idiot's Guide to Modelling and Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Structures

A slow but undeniable embracement of computer-based procedures for design and analysis of concrete structures is well underway. This change has been driven by external factors such as popular culture, modern office practices, and advancements in computer technology, and by internal factors such as the move from prescriptive design code specifications to more holistic performance-based design requirements. As a result, there has been a proliferation of analysis and assessment software, and a tendency amongst engineers to use them unquestioningly. Such software can be a valuable tool, enabling assessments that would be difficult or impossible otherwise. But are they always reliable and accurate? What are the potential pitfalls in their use? What are the long-term prospects for full integration into mainstream practice, and is the profession well-positioned to deal with it? These questions will be addressed by examining the results of various prediction competitions, experimental investigations, and case studies, ranging from Roman times to present. In the process, an number of ‘inconvenient truths’ will be exposed, and ‘tips for idiots’ suggested.

Bio : Frank J. Vecchio, Ph.D., P.Eng., is a Professor of structural engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto, where he has been on Faculty since 1985. Dr. Vecchio received his doctorate from the University of Toronto (1981), after having also received his B.A.Sc. (1978) and M.Eng. (1979) degrees there. He was previously employed as a research engineer at Ontario Hydro (1981-1985) where he undertook research relating to concrete nuclear structures, and at M.S. Yolles and Partners (1979), Consulting Engineers, where he was a structural designer. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, and is also a member of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the Federation Internationale du Beton (fib).
His research interests generally relate to the development of improved analysis and design procedures for reinforced concrete structures, particularly for those that are shear-sensitive. Activity includes the development of advanced constitutive models and nonlinear finite element procedures, application to the assessment and forensic analysis of concrete structures, and analysis of repaired or rehabilitated structures. Additional interests include the modeling and assessment of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) structures, structures rehabilitated with fibre reinforced polymers (FRP), and structures subjected to extreme loads including blast, impact, fire and earthquake.
Dr. Vecchio has served as a consultant on numerous projects in which the analysis software developed by his group was used to provide expert assessment on the safety and performance of structures. The types of structures investigated included: nuclear power plant buildings, highway and rail bridges, subway tunnels, wind turbine foundations, heavy industrial buildings, silos, crash barriers, warehouses, storm caissons, and residential and institutional buildings. He has provided consulting services to such organizations as: the Toronto Transit Commission, Consultec Limited, Holcim Group Canada, AMEC Limited, Hatch Limited, LEA Consulting, Yolles Consulting, ABS Consulting Limited, Hatch Mott McDonald, U.S. Nuclear regulatory Commission, Bechtel, and numerous others. As of April 15, 2019, according to Scopus, his publication citation record shows 5443 citations and a document H-index of 31. This makes him the most heavily cited researcher in Canada in the area of modelling and analysis of concrete structures, and amongst the highest in the world.