Title: Variability of Deflections of Simply Supported Reinforced Concrete Beams Supported Reinforced Concrete Beams

Author(s): ACI Committee 435

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 69

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 29-35

Keywords: beams (supports); building codes: deflection; loads (forces); probability dis-tribution;functions; probability theory; reinforced concrete; structural design: variability.

DOI: 10.14359/11246

Date: 1/1/1972

Abstract:
The variability of actual deflection of simply supported reinforced concrete beams with respect to deflection calculated by accepted methods is discussed. The probability of the deflection of a particular beam falling within a given level of uncertainty is evaluated by analyzing existing data and fitting a probability distribution to the data. Using deflection criteria of ACI 318-71, there is approximately a 90 percent chance that deflections of a particular beam will be within the range of 20 percent less than to 30 percent more than the calculated value. This represents a slight improvement over ACI 318-63.