SHEAR CARRYING CAPACITY OF SEGMENTAL PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an experimental study and nonlinear finite element method in order to examine the shear failure mechanism of segmental prestressed concrete beams by varying the length of segment, prestressing force and loading position. It is observed that after the opening of the segmental joints, the stiffness of such beams considerably decreases and the tendon stress is caused to increase significantly. The simplified truss model and other existing prediction methods for shear carrying capacity have been applied in this study in order to examine their applicability and accuracy. The simplified truss model can provide reasonable accuracy under the limitation of applied prestressing force.