Title:
Analysis of Axial Stress Distribution in Reinforced Concrete Column Considering ACI Guidelines
Author(s):
Alexandre de Macêdo Wahrhaftig, Eduardo Márcio de Oliveira Lopes, and Larysa Neduzha
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
123
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
179-190
Keywords:
American Concrete Institute; axial stresses; creep; reinforced concrete (RC) column; shrinkage
DOI:
10.14359/51749553
Date:
7/1/2026
Abstract:
Slender reinforced concrete columns have been employed as components of telecommunication and internet infrastructure since the deployment of the system more than 30 years ago. The assessment of these structures must consider the time-dependent behavior of concrete. In this context, a numerical investigation is conducted to determine the critical buckling load and the stress distribution in sections subject to creep and shrinkage of concrete. The guidelines used are those from the American Concrete Institute. It is concluded that the maximum stress induced in the reinforcement is 1.14% of the steel yield stress. Therefore, no yielding of the reinforcement is registered to the examined case, which ensures safety against permanent deformation. During the elapsed time of 7500 days, the modulus of elasticity of concrete decreased by 53% and the critical buckling load by 40%. The results obtained can be applied to similar cases through the slenderness index and the reinforcement ratio.
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