Reinforced concrete slabs subjected to thermal loads

Abstract

Eight large-scale reinforced concrete slab specimens were tested under combined thermal and mechanical load conditions. The specimens varied in the amount and orientation of the in-plane reinforcement provided. A three-phase loading regime was used to investigate thermal gradient effects at service and ultimate load conditions. The slabs experienced significant levels of stressing and cracking as a result of restrained thermal deformations. However, reductions in stiffness due to cracking and thermal creep caused rapid decays in the restraint forces developed. At ultimate load conditions, thermal load effects were minimal. Nonlinear finite element analysis procedures were used to investigate the theoretical response of the test slabs. Fairly accurate simulations of the specimens' behaviour were obtained. Important to achieving accurate results were the consideration of tension stiffening effects and out-of-plane shear behaviour. Key words: analysis, cracking, finite elements, plates, reinforced concrete, slabs, temperature, tests, thermal gradients.