Literature Review: Design of Structural Concrete Using Strut-Andtie Model and Application to Some Special Structures
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Date
2004-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Through out history engineers have been looking for ways of designing structures that are simple
and would accurately model real life objects. In order to achieve this, actual structures have to
be modeled in such a way that they become amenable to analysis. This was mainly achieved by a
mathematical modeling. Whilst many parts of structures can be modeled mathematically to
relate accurately with the test results, some parts of a structure notably, where there are openings
and discontinuities pose a problem. This is basically due to the inability to model them
accurately, resulting in difficulty of obtaining reliable estimate of the stress values. On this line
therefore various modeling approaches, for such regions of discontinuity have been proposed.
These sections of “discontinuity” or in short “D-regions” include beam-column connections,
areas of openings etc. These sections have been difficult to understand and analyze in the design
of structures. Therefore, the question arises, how can all components of a structure be analyzed
and hence understood and designed with equal accuracy? What alternative analysis approaches
are possible?
In the past many structural analysis approaches have been developed to address the various
problems faced in real life. Some of the advanced features include the non-linear stress analysis,
finite element method, etc. further to this the strut-and-tie modeling has been developed as an
alternative structural analysis method to address regions of discontinuity, whose analysis has so
far been addressed through the conventional analysis approach.
The strut-and-tie model is a powerful tool for analyzing the structures in areas of disturbances or
discontinuity in either geometry or statics. Hence, designing such special structures and
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predicting their behavior will increase the possibility of using them in confidence, as well as
making them safe.
The objective of this thesis is therefore to introduce a brief actual review of the theoretical
background, definitions of the strut-and-tie model, its compliance to the real world, brief
example of selected structures (as an application of the Strut-and-tie model to real structure) and
designing of a special structure. The final result gives structural engineers options of analysis
approaches capable of application to all types of systems. By considering an alternative approach
to current design approaches this study will be applicable to the analysis and design of special
structures such as beam-column connections, openings in the shear walls, deep beams above
large opening of a building (for circulation), corbels, monuments etc.
The literature survey of the topic has encompassed review of landmark papers on this topic,
textbooks, journals and available literature. Finally, two typical structures and one special
structure, a monument, are designed in an attempt to visualize the Strut-and-tie model.
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Structural Engineering