Flexural Behavior of Prestressed Concrete Composite Tee-Beams

摘要

Prestressed Tee-beams constructed by the split-beam method were tested to failure in flexure to study the behavior and ultimate strength of these beams and to compare their flexural characteristics with those of prestressed beams of conventional construction. The compressive portion of the cross section of the split-beam is cast after the web of the beam has been formed and prestressed. The variables in the study included the percentage of prestressing steel, strength of concrete in the compressive element of the composite split-beams, manner of prestressing and web reinforcement. Results showed that the composite split-beams behaved similarly to the monolithically constructed beams on the basis of flexural response and ultimate load. The strength of the concrete for the compressive element can be reduced within limits from that required for the prestressed element without sacrificing ultimate load capacity. The required percentage of reinforcing steel is less for the split-beam compared with conventional beams. (Author)