Structural Report
Seismic structural analysis
of Prenova voided slabs with spheres.
Authors:
Alfonso Larran Vial Civil Engineer
Toms Yez Celedn Civil Engineer
Andrs Larran Contador Civil Engineer
Name
Height
[mm]
Diameter D
[mm]
Spacing
e [mm]
P100
100
225
25
P140
140
225
25
P220
220
220
30
Number
of
Test
1.1
Slab
Thickness
[mm]
380
1.2
450
225
140
N 3 2 probetas
1.3
600
220
220
N 2 2 probetas
2.1
160
225
100
N 6 3 probetas
2.2
200
225
140
N 5 3 probetas
2.3
280
220
220
N 4 3 probetas
Test
Type
Disc
Diameter
[mm]
225
Disc
Height
[mm]
100
Figure 7: Test Tube1.1, Test 1of 16cm thickness, discs of 22, 5 cm diameter and 16cm high.
Figure 8: Test Tube 1.2, Test of 20cm thickness, discs of 22,5cm diameter, and 14 cm high
Figure 10: Test Tube 2.1, Test 2 of 16 cm thickness, discs of 22, 5 cm diameter and 10 cm high.
Figure 11:Test Tube 2.2 Test 2 of 20 cm thickness, discs of 22,5 cm diameter and14 cm high.
Figure 12: Test Tube 2.3 Test 2 of 28 cm thickness, with spheres of 22 cm diameter.
4. - Test Results
The following tables show the breaking loads of each test tube. A summary of the results of the INTI
report, OT N 101/ 22207 is presented.
4.1-Results of Test 1: Lateral seismic load transfer.
Test
Specimen
[N]
Breaking Load
[kN] (ton)
2523
975.80 (99.6)
2524
987.20 (100.7)
2527
829.60 (84.7)
2528
522.40 (53.3)
2525
802.00 (81.8)
2526
787.80 (80.4)
1.1
1.2
1.3
Test tube 2528 showed a bad facing operation on the test tube surfaces. Therefore, the loads are not
uniformly distributed, despite counting on a base plate for this function. The result of test tube 2528 will
be disregarded in the analysis.
Figures 13 and 14 show a unique vertical crack starting on the side of the support up to a close distance
to the point of application of the load. No damages or cracks are distinguished in other zones of the
test tube.
Figures 15 and 16 show the crushing of a corner prop. The prop goes from the point of application of the
load up to a support. The cracks go across the longitudinal side of the prop. The concrete can break
loose and disintegrate.
Specimen[N]
Break Load
[kN]
Observations
2535
557.20
Disregarded
2536
634.40
2537
642.40
2532
567.60
2533
574.20
2534
491.60
2529
725.20
2530
766.80
2531
571.60
2.1
2.2
2.3
Break load at
550.00 kN
Break load at
443.00 kN
Disregarded
Disregarded
Test tubes 2531,2534 and 2535 show a bad facing operation of the test tube surfaces, being the loads in
consequence not uniform in their application, despite counting on a base plate for this function. The
results of test tubes 2531, 2534 and 2535 are disregarded from the analysis.
Cracks starting on a support can be observed in picture 17. The crack is visible on the lateral and
frontal surfaces. The crack goes diagonally up to the upper central zone, where the load is applied.
Picture 19 shows cracks on both extreme sides of the test tube. In one end, a continuous crack can be
appreciated, going from the support up to the centre of the upper edge. On the opposite end 3
diagonal cracks can be seen, all of them parallel to each other.
Pictures 19 and 20 show test tubes failure due to the crushing of two margins on the lateral load. The
prop breaks loose from the rest of the test tube. The support does not evidence crushing of the prop.
Slab
Thickness
[mm]
380
Disc
Diameter
[mm]
225
Disc
Height
[mm]
100
1.2
450
225
140
829.6
1.3
600
220
220
794.9
2.1
160
225
100
638.4
2.2
200
225
140
575.9
2.3
280
220
220
746.0
Number
of Test
Test
Type
1.1
Breaking Load
[kN]
981.5
The global resistance of the test tube is determined by the traction resistance of the lower section of
concrete (tensor) and by the compression resistance of the prop.
The breaking load given by traction (tensor) does not represent the load transmission phenomena
from one surface of the voided slab to the other; it is rather a peculiarity of the test tube design. The
brake load given by the crushing of the diagonal prop represents in a clearer way the transmission of
loads from one surface of the slab to the other.
The prop will aim for its transmission to the most rigid section of the element, consequently the prop will
be developed only in the complete sections of concrete, despised any other section which contains a
void.
Picture 22 illustrates the resistance of each test tube and the theoretical breaking loads of the prop
and the tensor. In the axis of the abscissas the ratio Width / Height of the test tube is specified (B/H) as
an index of slenderness.
1200
1000
800
600
400
Ensayo 1
200
Tensor
Puntal
0
0,40
0,50
0,60
0,70
0,80
B/H
Figure 22: Graphic results of the tests and breaking load models of tensor prop Test 1.
From the graphic it can be seen that the theoretical values indicate a lower resistance than the ones
obtained by the test; this is predictable due to the dispersal of results that is obtained on the concrete
tests and also due to the fact that the theoretical values represent the inferior mark of concrete
behavior. The additional resistance is not attributed to the peculiarity of the geometry of the test
tubes.
The graph clears out that the prop resistance is lower than the tensor resistance, given the test tube
must break first by the crushing of the prop before the tensor.
800
700
600
500
400
300
Ensayo 2
200
Tensor
100
Puntal
0
0
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
B/H
Figure 24:G Graph breaking load and model tensor prop; Test 2
6. - Conclusions.
Considering the tests and the analysis produced the following is concluded:
-
The behavior of a voided slab subjected to shear stress can be represented by tensor prop
model.
The prop subjected to compressive stress will develop only in the complete sections of concrete,
given that only the area of concrete that belongs to a complete section must be considered as
a shear stress resistant area.
Given that the tensor prop model represents in an appropriate way the resistance of the test
tube, it is recommended to use the shear stress resistance values expressed in ACI318-11using
only the upper or lower section as a shear stress resistant area. See figure 25.
In areas of concentration of strong seismic forces, it is recommended to use a solid slab to resist
cyclical forces. These areas will depend on the structural type of each building and the designer
must identify them.
The structural designer must be careful when identifying the areas of strong seismic forces. It is
recommended to build solid slabs where it is necessary to transmit these efforts.
To increase the seismic shear strength it is recommended:
As a first and most effective alternative, increase the upper and lower width of the voided slab
indicated as bw in figure 25.
Figure 25: Parameters of the shear stress area according to ACI 318
Increasing the reinforcing bars in the upper and lower widths (bw). Respecting the limits of
maximum shear stress reinforcement according to ACI considering the section bw of figure 25,
this can be localized in between the steel reinforcement frame shown in the figure, that is an
area where the reinforcement will have greater coating.
Additional to the reinforcement indicated in the previous text, shackles can be installed in the
section (be) as indicated in figure 26 in order to join both additional reinforcements.
In conclusion, Prenovas voided slab is capable of transferring all the loads to the respective collecting
elements, and to the resistant vertical elements of the system against seismic forces, as stipulated on
chapter 21 of ACI-318 2011. Shear resistance generated by seismic forces can be increased following
the indications described on this chapter.
SANTIAGO, 19th of April 2013.