Service load deflection of tilt-up concrete wall panels

Abstract

The suitability of using CSA A23.3-14 to compute service load deflection of slender concrete wall panels is evaluated. Calculation of deflection using an effective moment of inertia with a reduced cracking moment is reviewed for beams, slabs, and tilt-up wall panels. While the procedure adopted by A23.3 for computing deflection works reasonably well for beams and slabs with reinforcing ratios as low as 0.4%, computed values do not correlate well with existing tests on slender walls and can underestimate deflection significantly. Deflection of slabs with very low reinforcement ratios (less than 0.4%) is also likely to be underestimated. Revisions to A23.3 are proposed for computing deflection.