A method for considering the influence of distinct casting stages in the flexural design of prestressed concrete cross sections

Abstract

Composite elements are structures of concrete, or other materials, constructed in different casting stages that act jointly under external loads. These elements are used when it is intended to combine the constructive advantages of precast structures with the monolithic behavior of cast-in-place structures. In regular civil engineering applications, such as the construction of a bridge or viaduct, the precast section is used as shoring before casting the slab in place. This process leads to imposed deformations prior to the ultimate limit state and a discontinuity in the specific strain of the composite cross section. This work proposes a methodology to design composite cross sections, built in two casting stages, evaluating the specific strain provided the construction process that can be easily implemented in precise computational routines. From applying the methodology on study-case numerical example, it is observed that the beam casted in two stages presents a factored moment resistance smaller than an identical beam casted in a single stage. However, further investigations should be conducted to assess the extent of this difference.