International Concrete Abstracts Portal

In virtually all areas of structural engineering, including the increasingly well-known area of structural reliability assessment, it is commonly assumed that failures will occur suddenly and instantaneously in given failure modes. This assumption affords a valuable simplification of complex real-world problems. However, many failure modes do not obey this assumption, including most serviceability failure modes, strength failure modes of ductile component and/or redundant systems, and failure modes based on cumulative damage. For these cases, a formulation is required with which the transition from complete survival to complete failure can be modeled as being gradual and continuous, and comprised of partial failure levels. This paper proposes such a formulation along with corresponding methodologies for structural reliability assessment and reliability-based design. Various statistical and entropy-based measures which can be used to help characterize the results of the structural reliability assessment are also suggested. Application of the proposed structural reliability assessment and reliability-based design methodologies is illustrated with an example problem involving deflection failure of a reinforced concrete beam. Some potential applications of the proposed methodologies include probabilistic design and code calibration for failure modes modeled as having gradual and continuous failure transitions.

Studies are limited on the early age performance of high-strength cold weather concretes and their shear strength interaction in cold weather. This paper presents shear transfer strength characteristics between regular high-strength concrete and (i) methyl methacrylate-based polymer concrete and (ii) magnesium phosphate based concrete in subfreezing temperatures. Analytical expressions were developed based on shear transfer hypothesis and verified by experimental results. The experimental study included tests on cylinders and L-shaped push off specimens to determine the early age shear interlock and shear frictional resistance between high-strength regular portland cement concrete and cold weather high-strength concretes as is experienced in rehabilitation of bridge decks and other infrastructure systems. Studies indicated that at early age of 24 hours, shear transfer strength of 1400 psi can be obtained with the use of appropriate material and shear reinforcement. The study also indicated the ACI 318-89 code limits on the shear-friction strength are too conservative even at early ages for high-strength cold weather concretes.

This paper presents the state of the art in evaluating flexural crack development and control of macrocracking. It is based on extensive research over the past five decades, in the United States and overseas, in the area of macrocracking in reinforced and prestressed concrete beams and in two-way action slabs and plates With the advent of limit states theories that generally lead to economic proportioning of members, control of cracking has become essential to maintain the integrity and esthetics of concrete structures. The trend is stronger than ever in better utilization of current concrete strengths, use of higher strength concretes that include super-strength concretes of 20,000 psi (138 MPa) compressive strength and higher, and increased application of prestressed concrete concepts. All these trends require closer control of serviceability requirements in cracking and deflection. Design expressions are given for the control of cracking in reinforced concrete beams and thick one-way slabs; prestressed, pretensioned, and post-tensioned flanged beams; and reinforced concrete two-way action structural floor slabs and plates. In addition, recommendations are given for the maximum tolerable flexural crack widths in concrete elements.

This paper reviews the development of deflection calculation procedures and comments on the risk of computational errors. It then discusses practical considerations affecting deflection and their limitations. It assesses the effect of nine parameters on the variability of deflection by reference to two example beams. Finally, the paper recommends further laboratory and analytical research and makes suggestions on how design engineers may improve the accuracy of their deflection computations.

Reinforced concrete floor systems must be analyzed for deflections to minimize serviceability problems such as excessive deflections. Member depths should be based on serviceability requirements as well as stress, especially when long-term deflection must be considered. The ACI equations for member depth may not always be adequate to prevent excessive long-term deflections of reinforced concrete floor members where heavy sustained loads are present. Two case studies are presented focusing on floor systems which have exhibited excessive deflections. From this investigation and analysis, proper design, detailing, and construction practices will be discussed to minimize serviceability problems. Care must be taken in analyzing and designing floor systems which support heavy sustained loadings or masonry.