Advances in Engineering Software 15 (1992) 113-118

Behaviour of confined prestressed concrete beams

Graciela N. Doz,
Laboratorio de Estructuras, Universidad Nacional de Tucum~n, Mendoza 95, 4000 Tucumrn, Argentina

Silvia M. Soares & Pablo G. Bignon

CPGEC, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Osvaldo Aranha 99, 3 Andar, 90000 Porto Alegre, Brasil

A numerical model to describe the behaviour of confined prestressed concrete

beams is presented. The model was developed using the Finite Element Method
and it is suitable for the analysis of bonded and unbonded prestressed concrete
beams subjected to monotonic short term loading. Numerical results are
compared with experimental data obtained at the Structures Laboratory of the
University of Tucumfin (Argentina).
Key words: beams, post-tensioning, confined concrete, prestressed concrete,
unbonded tendons.

INTRODUCTION to analyse bonded or unbonded prestressed concrete

Prestressed concrete beams, like every engineering
structure, must be designed to satisfy prescribed safety
conditions. For this purpose it is necessary to evaluate
the evolution of strains, displacements, reactions and
internal forces of the structure as loads increase.
However, the detailed determination of the response is
quite complex, in view of the numerical difficulties often
encountered in obtaining solutions for real problems,
such as those posed by: 3'6
- - physical and geometric non-linearities
- - effects of axial forces
However, the capacity of modern computational
facilities, allows the practicing engineer to implement
more elaborate models to analyse the behaviour of
structures and adjust them with experimental results.
In this paper unbonded prestressed concrete beams
are studied with a computational program and ana-
lytical results are compared with experimental data
obtained at the Structures Laboratory of the University
of Tucumfin.
beams, with symmetrical cross sections, under mono-
tonic short term loading acting in the plane of
symmetry.
The Finite Element Method with the displacement
formulation is used in the hypothesis of small strains
and moderate rotations. Linear-cubic interpolation
functions are adopted.
The prestressing forces are introduced as non-
conservative external loads.
Two algorithms, one incremental and the other
incremental-iterative, are tested to adjust the global
equilibrium equations, both using a constant stiffness
matrix.
The structure consists of elements interconnected by
joins. Each element is divided into a discrete number of
layers. In this way it is possible to account for variations
in width, mechanical properties and constitutive
equations of the material.
It is assumed that displacements and rotations are
small.
M a t e r i a l properties

ANALYTICAL STUDY
Concrete
The model developed by Mander, Priestley & Park 4 is
General description
used to describe the behaviour of confined concrete.
This model is based on the equations suggested by
The computational program developed makes it possible
Popovics 5 (see Fig. 1).
The longitudinal stress in the concrete is given by:
Advances in Engineering Software 0965-9978/92/$05.00
1992 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd. fc = f ~ e X R / ( R - 1 + X R) (1)
113
114 G.N. Doz, S.M. Soares, P.G. Bignon

~ fe __ U ~oafiued

.~.
.~
I. ,.~,
fr~t-,r~
i ,,!/.
f'c

Ea

Fig. 3.
/ e~ 2 ~ ,
Esoc
~aa ~
~',ompr ansivn
~c
Strain

to describe the tensile behaviour and the shape of the

Fig. 1. Stress strain model for confined concrete proposed by
Mander, Priestley & Park.
with:
Jf = %/%c
R = Ec/(Ec - Escc)
E~ = 5000V/~c' (MPa)
escc = f/c/ecc
where fc is the longitudinal stress in concrete, fc~c the
peak longitudinal compressive stress of confined
concrete, fc~ the peak longitudinal compressive stress
of unconfined concrete, ec the concrete strain, ecc
the compressive strain in confined concrete corre-
sponding to f~c and Ec the modulus of elasticity of
concrete.
This equation makes it necessary to evaluate the
effective confinement stress produced by the stirrups.
For this purpose auxiliary charts are used. The ultimate
strain of concrete, eu is another important parameter.
Mander et al. 4 have established that it is possible to
predict this strain with reasonable accuracy on the basis
of 'energy balance' considerations.
In view of the fact that this model defines only the
envelope curve, Blakeley & Park's model ] is introduced
E
fy
hysteresis loops.
Steel
To describe the behaviour of reinforced and bonded
(2) prestressed steel, an adjustment on Agrawall's model 2
has been made (see Fig. 2).
(3) The stress-strain curve has an initial elastic linear
(4) portion, up to the yield strength, fy, followed by a strain
hardening region where the stress increases linearly with
(5) strain. The slope of this branch is described by KnEs.
The load reversal path is described by the equation:
~rs = +6"985(64'5 - 57.7(0.838)]~)(N/mm 2) (6)
where the positive sign corresponds to tension and:
~ = I~s - ~NI (7)
The f] strength is defined by the intersection of the
straight line with the curve (see Fig, 3).
Further loading follows the same path.
In the analysis of unbonded prestressed concrete
beams a simplified bilinear model is used.
Method of analysis
General hypothes&
A beam is modeled as several discrete finite elements,
interconnected by joints. Each element is assumed to
have a cross section which has an axis of symmetry.
A global system of coordinates X, Y is defined to
locate the structure. On the other hand, the elements

a
axle of

>
'7 e'"'l C, ~ ~l~a[a~a

~ re fere~l~e
pl~ne
14y~r

,/, ' - ~ .

,...,.~ ~ - "
- - I

}
~oteel
ototl nI I I~yer

Fig. 2. Stress-strain model for steel proposed by Agrawall. Fig. 4. Actual and idealized cross section.
 Behaviour of confined prestressed concrete beams
y't"
/-,o00,.i.
Fig. 5. Prestressed concrete element before and after
deformation.
have a local coordinate system, x, y, where the origin is
the initial joint.
Each element is divided into a discrete number of
concrete and reinforced steel layers.
The direct strains in the transverse direction y are
negligibly small.
A plane cross section normal to the longitudinal axis
of the beam remains plane as the beam deforms.
A prestressing steel tendon consists of a discrete
number of prestressing steel segments each of which is
straight and spans a beam element. The geometry of
each cable is defined by the eccentricities ei, e/; ei and e/
are the distances of the two end points from the joints i
and j, respectively, measured in the local axis.
Figure 4 shows a real cross section and the idealized
one.
The prestressing and reinforcing steel are supposed to
be concentrated at the symmetric cross section axis.
The prestressing force is transferred gradually to the
structure. The original value of this force is reduced by
the instantaneous initial losses.
The prestressing forces are applied to the structure as
if they were external loads concentrated at the nodal
points of the elements.
Unbonded prestressed concrete
Since the cable is connected to the structure only at
the end points, the compatibility conditions require the
change of strain in the tendon to be equal to the average
change of strain in the adjacent concrete, over the whole
length of the tendon.
When the total prestressing force has been applied,
the length of the cable has varied. At any stage of load
application, the change of strain Ae is:
L - L0
c----0-- (8)
where L is the length of the cable in one stage and L0 the
115
length of the cable when the total prestressing force is
applied.
The length of each cable segment can be evaluated by
its new coordinates (see Fig. 5). The total cable length is
obtained by the addition of the cable segments.
The evaluation of L makes it possible to calculate the
increment of strain in the real stage.
For estimating the stress increment the bilinear
stress-strain relations are used.
When the stress increment is known, the prestressed
equivalent external load increment can be obtained.
Computer program
The computer program consists of the following:
* Data input
* Assembling global stiffness matrix
Computing the incremental load vector equivalent to
the prestressing force
* Forming the incremental displacement vector or/and
the external load vector
0 Loop on the load step or displacement step
* Incremental load ! * Incremental displacement
algorithm ~ algorithm
<
* Introduction of boundary conditions
* Solution of the system of equations No
* Calculating the global vector of end
forces in linear and nonlinear members
A Convergence conditions
~ Yes
* Writing the final results
0 End of the loop
* End
E X P E R I M E N T A L STUDY
Description of the models/instrumentation
The experimental work consisted of fabricating and
testing, up to rupture, five unbonded prestressed
concrete beams, 125 200mm in cross section and
2250 mm in length.
The beams were prestressed by 3 2.4mm diameter
post-tensioned steel bars.
In addition to the unbonded tendons, each beam also
contained four additional bonded non-prestressed
deformed bars 4.2 mm in diameter.
Sufficient stirrups were provided in the shear span of
the beams to avoid shear failures.
116 G.N. Doz, S.M. Scares, P.G. Bignon

dimenoions in ram.

--24.2
3o,.2- I
i ~ -~4.2 !-- 4.2 c/lOOmm 2@6--

i
1

I, I, I, 1, I, b
lilllll!!
~aa i i e a~im~i'm |
m i r a it
liBilll

t,
ii[llj
|ra~
,

l|lll
~ .414
-~14
n I 0 0 ~I 0 0n IO0n IO0n I 0 0~ I 0 0~ ~-~ 2B6
+ 2250 mm

Fig. 6. Geometry of the analysed beams.

~ ETER I
2,5
CLINOMETER 2

i i

)
Diol J~" "
Gauge "~ '
DEMEC
DISCS
5'~5S'~~ ~o g ~o "~ toi
f
Dial Gau~as

dimensiona in am.
Fig. 7. Instrumentation.

Table 1 Table 3
Beam Distance between Steel Ultimate Yield Modulus of
stirrups (am) strength strength elasticity
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
VE-I 100
VE-2 100 ~ 2"4 1937 1838 1'8 105
VE-3 50 4 4"2 780 750 1.2 x l0 s
VE-4 35 4~ 6 680 610 1.2 x 105
VE-5 25
The steel characteristics are shown in Table 3. The test
Table 2 load was applied by 2 0 0 K N Amsler hydraulic jacks.
The deflection of the beams was measured with dial
Beam Mean strength of
gauges and the rotation in flexure span with a
concrete (MPa)
clinometer. Strain readings were taken with 2 inch and
VE-1 44"8 4 inch D E M E C gauges, as shown in Fig. 7.
VE-2 44"8
In all cases the test began with the application of a
VE-3 40'3
VE-4 40'3 fixed load of 2 K N after which the beam was subjected
VE-5 40.3 to cycles of unloading and reloading until cracking due
to bending at midspan began. After the load reached the
The degree of confinement was varied in these beams. cracking load, strains were carefully monitored. As
Confinement was provided by rectangular stirrups of loading progressed towards failure, the beams exhibited
2.4 m m diameter, as indicated in Table 1. increasing inelasticity, that is: if a constant load was
Figure 6 shows the reinforcement details of the beams. maintained, the beams continued to strain, so that the
In Table 2 the mean strength of concrete used in each readings were taken immediately after the load was
beam is indicated. applied.
 Behaviour of confined prestressed concrete beams 117

A rf~ff
? ~ooo.. $~
~i ,i ~I ,i ~
2 l-
,

+ .o+ ~,o+ .o+ ~,o+

_ ~ ~ 56.5 mm2

dimensions in ram.

20Oral ~=~1=__-~.
--31. ~ _- ~
~ ~' .~.--'
,,~~ ~,.~.,
Fig. 8. Structure idealization.

P( N) P(KN)
50

I ~
40
f* ~ - - - - - - 1 . . . .

30 .
VE-1
f VE-3

S
VEo 2
20

10
/
(~ (ram) ~ (am)
10 20 30 40 10 ~0 30 40
50 ~0
P(KN) P( KN)
40 J ~ . . . .
40
f- ~.

30 30 J

/
VE-4 ~" VE - 5
2:0 20
f ,
10 10

~ (mini ~(mml
)
10 ~0 30 40 10 ~0 30 40
-I- I=xperimmtol Results
---- Numericol Results occordil~ to Mondlm',
Priesl'ey and Pork'-. Modol
Num~icol Rosull's occ~ding to Blockeloy ond Pork's Mt~del

Fig. 9. Comparison of midspan deflection.

118 G.N. Doz, S.M. Soares, P.G. Bignon
COMPARISON OF RESULTS
Idealization of the structure application of external loads
Since the tested beams were symmetric, the analytical
model consisted in all cases of half of the units.
One half of a beam was thus divided into four
elements, and the cross section was further divided into
11 concrete layers.
Only vertical displacement was permitted at nodal
points on the midspan cross section.
The non-prestressing steels were represented by layers
in concordance with their center of gravity.
The prestressing steel tendons were also divided into
four segments corresponding to each element.
The discretization of the structure is shown in Fig. 8.
The analysis was made in two stages. In the first stage
the structure was subjected to prestressing force and
dead load, in the second stage the external loads were
applied.
Comparison of experimental and analytical results
Analytical and experimental results are shown together
for better comparison. Figure 9 illustrates the evolution
of midspan deflection (node 5) with increase of external
load.
Excellent correlation between the numerical and
experimental results for loads up to the peak load can
be noted, then the two results differ. This is due to the
way in which the experimental work was realized, i.e. the
test was compelled to increment the external load
between two successive stages. It is necessary to
remember that during the tests it was impossible to
stabilize the readings when the central deflection was
greater than 15 mm.
In general, analytical results can be divided into
three different stages. The first of them is linear and is
limited by concrete cracking. Transition from the second
stage to the following is the result of the yielding of
bonded non-prestressed steel. In the third stage flexural
stiffness is very small and it is difficult to predict the
rupture.
Maximal loads obtained numerically and exper-
imentally are the same.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to accurately predict the response of
unbonded prestressed concrete beams knowing the
physical characteristics of the materials and considering
physical and geometric non-linearities by means of the
proposed model.
A linear model cannot be used to predict the response
of these structures.
The models used to represent the behaviour of
materials are considered quite efficient. In fact, a study
of convergence requirements showed that the structure
must be divided in at least seven elements between any
two supports, although in the case of structures having
straight tendons and a continuant distribution of non-
prestressing steel, this number might be reduced. On the
other hand, the number of concrete layers needed for
satisfactory results has to be larger than fifteen.
The computed response shows three stages namely
uncracked elastic, cracked elastic and plastic.
The algorithm cannot define rupture, consequently
the numerical evaluation of ductility is not yet feasible.
It is expected that this inconvenience can be overcome
with the incorporation of the two types of rupture
observed experimentally, i.e. yielding of the tensile non-
prestressing steel and buckling of the compressed bars.
REFERENCES
1. Blakeley, R.W.G. & Park, R. Prestressed concrete sections
with cyclic flexure, Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE,
99(8), August 1973.
2. Doz, G.N. lnfluen~ia del confinamiento en la respuesta
est~ttica de vigas de hormig6n pretensado sin adherencia,
MSc thesis, University of Tucum~.n, Argentina, 1988.
3. Kang, J. & Scordelis, A.C. Nonlinear geometric, material
and time dependent analysis of reinforced and prestressed
concrete, PhD thesis, University of California, California,
USA, 1977.
4. Mander, J., Priestley, M. & Park, R. Seismic design of
bridge piers, Report, 84-2, Department of Civil Engineer-
ing, University of Canterbury, February 1988.
5. Popovics, S. A numerical approach to the complete stress ~
strain curves for concrete, Cement and Concrete Research,
21(5), September 1973.
6. Soares, S.M. Um modelo para an/~lise n~.o-linear de vigas
em concreto protendido p6s-tracionadas com e sem
ader~ncia sujeitas a cargas de curta duracfio, MSc thesis,
University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1988.