Materials Research Innovations

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Mechanical behaviour research of long span

prestressed steelconcrete composite beam

L-Z. Jiang, Z. Huang, W-B. Zhou & X-X. Sun

To cite this article: L-Z. Jiang, Z. Huang, W-B. Zhou & X-X. Sun (2014) Mechanical behaviour
research of long span prestressed steelconcrete composite beam, Materials Research
Innovations, 18:sup2, S2-28-S2-32, DOI: 10.1179/1432891714Z.000000000468

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/1432891714Z.000000000468

Published online: 30 May 2014.

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 Mechanical behaviour research of long span
prestressed steelconcrete composite beam
L.-Z. Jiang1, Z. Huang*1, W.-B. Zhou1 and X.-X. Sun2
The deformation and stress distribution of concrete and section steel in the whole process of short
span prestessed steelconcrete composite beam were analysed by finite element software
(ANSYS) in this paper. The results fit well with the experimental value that the model can
preferably reflect the real stress condition of the beam that was analysed with different
reinforcement ratios, different span/depth ratios and different prestress degrees. In addition, the
momentdeflection curves of long span prestressed steelconcrete composite beam were
discussed with different reinforcement ratios. Moreover, a reasonable range for the beam is
advised by considering its deformation law. Finally, some beneficial advices and conclusions
were provided for the designer and referenced for further study.
Keywords: Prestress, Composite structure, Long span beam, Non-linear analysis, Mechanical behaviour

Introduction there is even no code to be in accordance with the

In order to meet requirements and functions, a material
needs to be improved to enhance its value, as reported
by Fu et al.15 Nowadays, improvement of material
performance can be classified into two categories: one is
composite (made up of several suitable materials), and
the other is composite structure (which will be discussed
in the present paper), in which different materials are
placed according to the optimal geometrical layout,
so that each material can make the best of its advan-
tage and all the materials can achieve complementary
advantages.68
Theoretical research for prestressed
steel reinforced concrete composite
beam
Few theoretical research and engineering applications
for the prestressed steelconcrete composite beam have
been studied at home and abroad. Therefore, we lack the
bearing mechanism of the prestressed composite struc-
ture and the theoretical analysis of the mechanical
properties, crack control studies on the structure as well
as the combination of theory and experimental research
of seismic performance to prestressed steelconcrete
structures interiorly. Furthermore, just a preliminary
attempt has been made on the new composite structure
for the prestressed steelconcrete structures, and the
theoretical basis guiding engineering, analysis and
design methods has not been formed yet. Moreover,
1
School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075,
China
2
School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China
*Corresponding author, email huangzhi019@163.com
appropriate specification procedures.
Currently, according to relevant regulations, the
flat section assumption law reported by Ameer et al.912
and the superposition method reported by Wang et al.1315
are the main methods for normal section bending bear-
ing capacity, which introduces steel concrete composite
structures in relative codes and literatures at home and
abroad. However, we need to rationally consider the
contribution of prestressed for resistance items on the H
shaped steel upper and lower flanges. Moreover, to
explore the mechanical properties of the beam, we should
focus on the level of prestress and stressstrain relation-
ship of the tendon, which has no obvious characteristics of
the yield point.
ANSYS models and tests were studied between
ordinary steel reinforced concrete beams and prestressed
steelconcrete beams component. To provide a reference
for the application of new types of composite beam,
bearing capacity, failure modes, deformation law of
development, etc., have been systematically studied.
Build-up of non-linear finite element
model
Separate modes have been used in the non-linear finite
element model of simply supported beam to receive an
accurate result. On one hand, the units of reinforcement
and concrete were different in calculation, and every one
of the units was divided sufficiently small. On the other
hand, the reinforcement as a line unit bonding element
was inserted between the steel and the concrete to
simulate bond slip.
With the numerical simulations of prestressed steel
concrete structures, Solid65 element was used to
simulate cracks and fracture of brittle materials, such
as concrete adopting the William-Wamke criteria. The
bond slip simulations of prestressed steel concrete

W. S. Maney & Son Ltd. 2014

Received 15 September 2013; accepted 12 December 2013
S2-28 DOI 10.1179/1432891714Z.000000000468 Materials Research Innovations 2014 VOL 18 SUPPL 2
 Jiang et al. Mechanical behaviour research of steelconcrete composite beam

1 Section details of the prototype

structures used Combination39 element, and Solid45

element was used to simulate steel and stiffness bearer at
both ends of the rigid. Meanwhile, the bilinear kinematic
hardening model was adopted in the non-linear calcula-
tion assuming it is an ideal elasticplastic material.
In the process of building a non-linear finite element
model, the model simplified was built through a
symmetrical way, yet we took half of the structure
along the span direction while the symmetrical load was
applied at the half cross-section. In addition, its ends
were restrained by simply supported constraints (UY
vertical at the end of the node and UZ horizontal
direction of node) to simulate the ideal situation of
simply supported. Moreover, face load was applied to
the surface. Steel strand with linear bar arrangement was
anchored at the ends by initial strain to obtain the
prestressing.
2 Momentdeection curves under uniform load
Geometry parameters of specimen and
material properties reinforcement 2B12 was assigned in the upper part of
The span of basic specimen L520 m and sectional size the beam, and 2B14 was assigned in the bottom of the
b6h5100062000 mm, while allocation of steel bar and beam, which was a tension zone. Meanwhile, the
section steel is shown in Fig. 1. The properties of steel prestressing tendons used steel hinge line 2As15?2. The
bar, section steel and concrete are shown in Table 1, steel dimension was H200610065?568 and articulated
with shear transferring coefficient of concrete among the bearing for the simply supported beam. In addition, the
cracks bt50?5 (opening) and bt50?9 (closure) in the properties of concrete are shown in Table 1.
finite analysis. The discrepancy of the calculation and experimental
The way of classification loading was used in the value is 3?3% with an ultimate load of beam
model with surface loading, and [TIME] and [NSUBST] 166?8 kN m, matching with the value of the experi-
were performed to monitor carefully. The load was mental (172?58 kN m). The differences of mid span
analysed with proportional load for the first seven steps, deflection between calculation and experiment demon-
increasing by 0?043 MPa per level. However, the load strated in Ref. 1 are shown in Fig. 2. It can be seen that
increased by 0?022 MPa starting from the eighth level the momentdeflection curves are matched perfectly
until the computer did not converge. When it reached under uniform load, stating that real force condition is
the ultimate load, we further refined the loading. reflected in the model.
Based on theoretical calculations of prestressed steel
Comparison of calculation result and concrete beams, we find that there is an upward
deflection before the force due to the presence of
experiment prestressed by the ANSYS non-linear finite element
Beam section of example b5200 mm and beam height analysis. As the load increases, the inverted arch caused
h5350 mm, the span of basic specimen was L54 m, by prestressed would be offset while the stress pre-
css1580 mm and css2570 mm, and the strength stressed steelconcrete structures should be linear in the
of concrete was C50. Longitudinal bearing force elastic session. When load increases to ,25% of the

Table 1 Material properties

Elastic modulus Poisson Yield strength Mass density Uniaxial compressive Uniaxial tensile
Material Ec/104 MPa ratio c fy/MPa P/kg m23 strength fc/MPa strength ft/MPa

I shaped steel 20.60 0.3 300 7850

Steel bar 20.00 0.3 310 7600
Steel strand 19.50 0.3 1320
fcu540 MPa (concrete) 3.25 0.2 19.50 1.80
fcu550 MPa (concrete) 3.51 0.2 25.30 1.96

Materials Research Innovations 2014 VOL 18 SUPPL 2 S2-29

Jiang et al. Mechanical behaviour research of steelconcrete composite beam

3 Momentdeection curves under different reinforce-

4 Span/depth ratiodeection curves under different
ment ratios
aspect ratios

ultimate load, cracks began to appear in the tension

zone of concrete but not extend to the centre of gravity
of the tensile reinforcement. As a part of concrete quits
after cracking, all of the section stiffness would be
further attended due to stress redistribution and neutral
axis of component shift upper. However, when a larger
steel compression flange stress closes to ,75% of the
ultimate load, the deflection of development accelerates
markedly, indicating that the rapid development of the
tensile stress zone reinforcement steel has entered the
yield, and section stiffness is greatly weakened. Until
almost all the yield compression flanges reach the yield,
the compressive stress in the lower edge of the neutral
axis close to the destroyed section is smaller than that of
the other part, or even emerging tensile stress, and the
destroyed section of the neutral beam axis position has
been reached by the pressure steel beam section. The
compression zone concrete of the composite beam
reaches its ultimate compressive strain.
Similar mechanical properties can be obtained between
the ordinary steel concrete member and the prestressed
beam. In the initial stage of loading, deformation of the
beam is unobvious, and mid span deflection development
is relatively slow. With more tensile steel webs participat-
ing, the cross-sectional capacity increases. However,
midspan deflection development increases significantly
with the increase in crack. After cracks in concrete are
formed and the beam member reaches the critical load,
there is no obvious turning point in the loaddeflection
curve, indicating that the description section stiffness is
not reduced obviously. When the loaddeflection curve
gets into the non-linear stage, section stiffness has been
greatly weaken, and plastic flow causes increment of
deformation. Finally, reinforcement and steel both
successively reach the yield.
Influence of flexural behaviour with
different reinforcement ratios
The basic specimens are displayed in Fig. 1, in which the
concrete strength is C40, L520 m, b51000 mm,
h52000 mm, as5as540 mm, css15300 mm, css25
300 mm, yiban5600 mm, fuban51400 mm, flange slab
thickness is 40 mm and web thickness is 20 mm. By only
changing the parameter of common longitudinal rein-
forcement ratio r, the calculated results are shown in
Table 2, where Mcr represents the cracking moment, and
Mcu is the ultimate moment.
As the reinforcement ratio increases, the ultimate load
will increase apparently, whereas the change of cracking
moment is not significant, as shown in Table 2. In
addition, the deflection of beam does not change clearly.
The momentdeflection curves under different reinforce-
ment ratios can be seen in Fig. 3. It can be seen that for
a given load level, the greater the reinforcement ratio,
the smaller the beam deflection increases, especially for
large span prestressed steel reinforced concrete beams.
Furthermore, the value of deflection has a very
significant impact on structural elements.
Definition to upper limit value of span/
depth ratio
Deflection of the beam under different span/depth ratios
is shown in Fig. 4. We will confirm the allowable upper
limit value of prestressed steel reinforced concrete
composite beam in comparison with the limit value of
deflection under different spans in the Technical
Specification for Steel Reinforced Concrete Composite
Structures JGJ138-2001 in China.

Table 2 Flexural capacity and deection under different reinforcement ratios

Item Reinforcement ratio r/% Mcr/103 kN m Mcu/104 kN m Prestress degree Kp Relative deflection

PSRC-1 0.30 7.425 2.4750 0.95 1.000

PSRC-2 0.60 7.466 2.5400 0.95 0.994
PSRC-3 0.90 7.510 2.6900 0.95 0.990
PSRC-4 1.20 7.535 2.7500 0.95 1.001
PSRC-5 1.50 7.547 3.0250 0.95 0.995
PSRC-6 1.80 7.610 3.1200 0.95 0.992

S2-30 Materials Research Innovations 2014 VOL 18 SUPPL 2


According to Fig. 4, with the increase in span/depth ratio,
the ultimate load and stiffness significantly reduce. If the
value of the beam span/depth ratio is very large (i.e. beam
height value is too small), the bending resistance of normal
section, shear capability of oblique section and deflection in
the middle of span would not meet the demands. In the
meantime, the crack width of the beam cannot meet the
requirements of normal use. It is essential that the upper
limit value of spandepth for simply supported beam is
mainly determined by the mid span deflection.
Through analysis of the span/depth ratio, it is
recommended that the upper limit value of deflection
can be designed as 23 for prestressed steel reinforced
concrete beam. Furthermore, with increasing span/depth
ratio, the maximum deflection of the beam cross-linear
grows. In addition, when the span/depth ratio reaches
24, the beam span deflection increases sharply over the
specification allowable value.
Influence of mechanical behaviour with
different span/depth ratios
Spans take L520, 24, 28, 32 and 36 m, indicating that
only the span/depth ratio is changed to obtain the
ultimate load Mu under normal use in different span/
depth ratios and maximum deflection in the middle span
f when the structure fails. The momentdeflection curves
under different span/depth ratios are shown in Fig. 5.
According to Fig. 5, when the section height of the beam
is kept constant and only the span is changed,
the span/depth ratio L/h is a variable. The span/depth
ratio of long span prestressed steel reinforced concrete
composite beam ranges from 10 to 18, and the prestress
degree is 1?0. The momentdeflection curves under
different span/depth ratio are shown in Fig. 5. As the
span/depth ratio increases, the mid span deflection
increases exponentially when the load of beam reaches
failure load, indicating that span/depth ratio on the normal
use of long span prestressed steel reinforced concrete
composite beams has greater impact on the ultimate
bearing capacity. However, for a given load level, the
deflection of these composite beams increases more
obviously as the cross-height ratio is greater. When the
limit value of deformation for a beam meets the required
conditions, the ultimate load of beam in normal use is
significantly reduced, while the deflection of the mid span
in destruction increases rapidly. When the span/depth ratio
increases from 10 to 18, the ultimate moment of mid span
reduces from 21 000 to 12 960 kN m, reducing 38?29%,
and the mid span deflection limit increases from 100 to
426 mm, increasing up 326%. Therefore, for long span
prestressed steel reinforced concrete beams, deformation
controlling is a very important factor for bearing capacity
in design that should be carefully considered.
Conclusions
1. Simulated results fit well with the experimental values.
The analysis progress of the finite model can preferably
reflect the real stress condition of the beam. The deforma-
tion capacity of the beam has been improved significantly
compared with the traditional concrete structure.
2. The non-linear performance of concrete materials
and the bond between steel and concrete have been
considered. Meanwhile, the model was used to simulate the
Jiang et al. Mechanical behaviour research of steelconcrete composite beam
5 Momentdeection curves under different span/depth
ratios
mechanical behaviour of steel reinforced concrete, and the
effect of strength can be negligible when the ultimate limit
state in practical applications was considered.
3. The ultimate load and deflection of a beam are
greatly influenced by the longitudinal force reinforce-
ment ratio for a given load level, especially for large
span beam. Therefore, the reinforcement in the design
process should be appropriate.
4. A suitable proposal value for the span/depth ratio
of the composite beam has been proposed to consider
the ordinary concrete structure and prestressed concrete
beam. It is recommended that the upper limit value of
deflection can be designed as 23 of the beam. However,
in practical engineering applications, this upper limit
value should be changed according to actual conditions.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science
Foundation of China (grant nos. 51078355, 50938008 and
51378502), the Fundamental Research Funds for the
Central Universities (grant no. 20117Q008), the State
1025 Science and Technology Support Projects (grant
no. 2011BAJ09B02) and Hunan Provincial Innovation
Foundation for Postgraduate (grant no.CX2012B060).
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