PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide methods of numerically simulating structural behaviors of reinforced concrete in finite element analysis.SOLUTION: An FEA model representing a reinforced concrete structure is defined and received in a computer system. The FEA model contains a number of solid elements defined by a number of solid element nodes, and a number of beam elements defined by a number of master beam element nodes. Beam elements representing reinforcing steel are embedded inside solid elements representing concrete. Each beam element straddles one or more solid elements. Slave beam nodes along the at least one beam element are created such that each of the solid elements houses at least one slave beam node. Numerically simulated structural behaviors of the reinforced concrete structure are obtained by conducting a time-marching simulation using the FEA model. At each of the many solution cycles of the time-marching simulation, proper coupling of the solid elements and the at least one beam element are ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B
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