Nonlinear Time-Dependent Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Shells

Abstract

The numerical model for analysis of prestressed concrete plates and shells under short term and long-term static load are briefly presented. The model simulates the dominant nonlinear effects of concrete: the creep, shrinkage and aging, the development of cracks in tension and yielding in compression, and the changes in the tensile and shear stiffness in cracking zones. Reinforcing steel is modelled as a separate layer with anisotropic material properties i.e. with a possibility to transfer the stresses in the reinforcement bars direction only. Prestressing steel is simulated by 1-D curved element embedded in the shell finite element. A description of the tendon geometry, transfer of the prestressing effects from the tendon to the concrete, numerical modelling of the prestressing losses and the numerical procedure for analysis of the prestressing structures are briefly presented. The model is verified by comparison of the numerical results with the results of performed experimental test of prestressed concrete shell.