A simple beam-like finite element model for the analysis of concrete beams prestressed with unbonded tendons

Kočman, Peter (author), Kolšek Češarek, Jerneja (author), Bratina, Sebastjan (author)

This paper presents a new beam-like finite element model for the analysis of the mechanical response of a reinforced concrete beam prestressed with unbonded curved tendons under short-term static loading. To develop a numerically efficient and computationally inexpensive model while still capturing the most important characteristics of the beam’s deformation, only the material nonlinearity is fully considered, as suggested by current engineering standards, whereas the kinematics are consistently linearized in the model. To ensure successful completion of the analysis even for statically indeterminate structures, where the effect of concrete softening may start well before the point of the beam’s final collapse and could result in convergence issues, localisation of deformations and concrete softening under compression are treated according to a well-established crack-band principle. Reliability and efficiency of the developed model are proven on the examples of simply supported and continuous beams, for which well-documented experimental results are available in literature. The model provides the user with a quick and easy-to-understand finite element tool for practical use in design of prestressed structures.

• Language: English
• Keywords: prestressed concrete, curved tendon, post-tensioning, numerical model, simply-supported beam, continuous beam
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FGG - Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 14 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 316, art. 107894
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-171058
• UDC: 519.62
• ISSN on article: 0045-7949
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2025.107894
• COBISS.SI-ID: 244310787
• Publication date in RUL: 30.07.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Computers & Structures
• Shortened title: Comput. struct.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0045-7949
• COBISS.SI-ID: 4419338

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: prednapeti beton, ukrivljen kabel, naknadno prednapenjanje, numerični model, prostoležeči nosilec, kontinuirni nosilec

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P2-0158
• Name: Gradbene konstrukcije in gradbena fizika