Title:
Behavior of Structural Concrete Elements Designed
to the Concept of the Compressive Force Path
Author(s):
Michael D. Kotsovos and Paul Michelis
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
93
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
428-436
Keywords:
beams; brittle failure; columns; codes of practice; concrete;
cyclic loading; design; earthquake-resistant design; monotonic loading;
reinforced concrete; safety.
DOI:
10.14359/9702
Date:
7/1/1996
Abstract:
This work is intended to assess the concept of the compressive force path as a design tool. Vertical and horizontal structural concrete members were designed in compliance with this concept and tested under the action of both monotonic and cyclic loading configurations capable of causing the formation of points of contraflecture within the member span. In all cases investigated, specimens were found to exhibit the strength and deformational characteristics they were designed for; with considerable savings in the amount of transverse reinforcement used, which varied from a value of about 45 percent of that specified by current codes for monotonic loading to a value of approximately 65 percent for cyclic loading. For specimens that were tested to their maximum sustained load, repairing the cracks with a width larger than 0.5 mm with epoxy resin was found sufficient to restore the specimen load-carrying capacity.