Analysis of continuous reinforced concrete beams in serviceability limit state

Abstract

The paper investigates to what extent the effect of actions and deformations of statically indeterminate reinforced concrete beams are modified if, instead of the elastic, uncracked model (which is simple but approximate), an elastic, cracked model is applied (which is more accurate) in the computation of the effect of actions at serviceability check. (Continuous beams were modelled with beams fixed at both ends.) The effects of different load levels and moment-redistribution at design were also analysed. It is assumed that the variable load reached its characteristic value prior to the time considered, thus, the location of cracked zones and the tension stiffening effect is determined for that load level. Instead of the interpolation between the two values of deformation, the tension stiffening effect was taken into account by an effective moment of inertia (I_eff), which is equivalent to the other method.