Abstract
Recently a new rational theoretical model for beams under torsion has been proposed. This model, called Softened Membrane Model for Torsion (SMMT), is able to predict well the global behaviour of reinforced and prestressed concrete solid beams under torsion. This paper presents a study in order to check the SMMT for reinforced and prestressed concrete hollow beams under torsion. Theoretical predictions from SMMT are compared to some experimental results of hollow beams available in the literature and also with the predictions of another theoretical model previously proposed from the authors. It is shown that SMMT, with some corrections, is able to predict satisfactorily the overall behaviour of reinforced and prestressed concrete hollow beams under torsion.
Highlights
Since the original Space-Truss Analogy (STA) proposed in the beginning of last century (Rausch 1929), several further versions have been developed to lead to theoretical models for Reinforced Concrete (RC) and Prestressed Concrete (PC) beams under torsion
Theoretical predictions from Softened Membrane Model for Torsion (SMMT) are compared to some experimental results of hollow beams available in the literature and with the predictions of another theoretical model previously proposed from the authors
The SMMT proposed and validated by Jeng, Hsu (2009) and Jeng et al (2010) for solid beams was checked for RC and PC hollow beams
Summary
Since the original Space-Truss Analogy (STA) proposed in the beginning of last century (Rausch 1929), several further versions have been developed to lead to theoretical models for Reinforced Concrete (RC) and Prestressed Concrete (PC) beams under torsion. The success of VATM to predict the points of the Torque (T) – Twist (θ) curve for the ultimate behaviour is understandable, since, for high level of loading, the concrete is extensively cracked In this stage, the theoretical model approaches the real model. Jeng and Hsu (2009) extended the Softened Membrane Model (SMM), previously developed to treat theoretically RC membrane elements under shear (Hsu, Zhu 2002), to RC beams under torsion This analytical method takes into account the strain gradient of concrete struts in the shear flow zone by making some modifications on the constitutive relationships of concrete from the original theory. The predicted T – θ curves from SMMT were compared with some experimental data available in the literature and it was found that the predictions are generally good
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