Title:
Compatibility Torsion in Spandrel Beams Using Modified Compression Field Theory
Author(s):
Khaldoun N. Rahal and Michael P. Collins
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
103
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
328-338
Keywords:
beams; cracking; reinforced concrete; shear; spandrel beams; torsion
DOI:
10.14359/15310
Date:
5/1/2006
Abstract:
This paper describes a procedure that can be used to calculate the compatibility torsion in spandrel beams and other indeterminate structures. The procedure relies on the ability of the Modified Compression Field Theory (MCFT) to calculate cracked torsional and flexural stiffness for sections subjected to various combinations of stress resultants. The calculated ultimate loads are compared with the experimentally observed ultimate loads of 27 statically indeterminate floor beam-spandrel beam frames and very good agreement is observed. The comparison with the detailed experimental results shows that the MCFT is capable of accurately calculating the response of reinforced concrete sections subjected to combined shear, torsion, bending moment, and axial compression. The calculations of the proposed procedure also show that the strength of the frames is significantly larger than that calculated using the equations of the ACI and CSA codes due to the longitudinal restraint of the beams.