Compressive membrane effects on the behavior of one-way structural concrete members with application for analysis and design of box culverts.

摘要

This study introduces a new approach for the analysis and design of prestressed and/or reinforced concrete beams and one-way slabs with edge restraints. The study is applicable to all other structures that can be modeled as a single-span one-way flexural element with full or partial lateral and rotational support restrains. Membrane forces, caused by restrained edges, increase the load-carrying capacity of flexural members considerably. The current design methods do not consider such membrane forces despite the fact that they are present in many cases.;This study combines the theory of plasticity with the modified compression field theory to obtain the ultimate load-deflection relationship of prestressed and/or reinforced concrete one-way flexural members. It relates the sectional forces at each specified location to the internal stresses and strains for mild steel, prestressing tendons, and concrete. A computer program is developed, written in Microsoft QuickBASIC, to calculate the above-mentioned values within the B-regions of the structure. The curvature of the structure along its length and its deflection at mid-span are also calculated.