ABSTRACT

Abstract Five two-span continuous beams either reinforced or pretensioned with Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) or conventional steel prestressing wires are tested to make clear the behavior on the moment redistribution in the case of compressive failure of concrete at the middle support takes place prior to the tensile failure of FRP and any failure at loading points. Very simple non-linear analysis based on beam theory can predict relatively well moment redistribution of the prestensioned concrete beams. Nonlinear Finite Element Method is also used for the purpose of comparison. Keywords : statically indeterminate concrete structure, FRP, non-linear analysis, moment redistribution

1 Introduction

In statically indeterminate concrete structures the reduction of the section rigidity due to cracking of concrete as well as the development of plastic hinges due to both yielding of steel reinforcements and plastic deformation of concrete in compression could cause the moment redistribution, which influences the ultimate capacity of the structure.