A computer model versus design code methods: long-term deflection analysis of lightly reinforced concrete members

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt has been made to extend application of the Flexural Constitutive Model to long-term deformational analysis of flexural reinforced concrete members. The constitutive relationships for compressive concrete and cracked tensile concrete have been modified for modeling long-term behavior. A powerful approach for the time-dependent analysis of the cracked cross-section based on the effective modulus method and layered approach has been proposed. Statistical deflection calculation analysis carried out for 26 lightly reinforced experimental beams reported in the literature has shown reasonable accuracy of the predicted deflections. Similar analyses have been performed for the deflection calculation techniques of the ACI and EC2 design codes.