Open Access Research Article

Practical Design and Modelling of Precast Concrete Structures

Morten A Herfelt1, Jørgen Krabbenhøft1 and Kristian Krabbenhøft1,2*

1Optum Computational Engineering, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark

2Civil Engineering and Industrial Design, University of Liverpool, UK

Corresponding Author

Received Date: July 15, 2019;  Published Date: July 23, 2019

Abstract

Precast concrete structures are conventionally designed using manual methods and simplified numerical tools, e.g. linear finite element analysis, hence, structures are often far too conservative thus wasting con- crete and reinforcement. Moreover, the quality of the design is to a large degree reliant on the skill and engineering intuition of the structural engineer. Finite element limit analysis provides a framework for efficient analysis using mathematical programming. Plane stress elements for modelling precast panels are reviewed and a composite model for reinforced concrete is presented. A four storey shear wall is analyzed using the commercial software Optum Concrete Solution: The model includes mesh reinforcement, column- and beam reinforcement, stringers and joints, and the limit load is calculated in a matter of seconds. The example displays that the use of finite element limit analysis has the potential to greatly optimise precast structures, hence, making our structures more sustainable as well as cheaper.

Keywords: Precast concrete; Limit analysis; Rigid plasticity; Finite element; Numerical modelling

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