Validation study of effective EI

Confined section data:

Grade of concrete = 4000 psi
Longitudinal reinforcement material = A615Gr75 (y=2.586E-03)
Confinement reinforcement material =A615Gr60
Height = 24 in
Width = 15 in
Concrete model = Mander-Confined(R)
No of points considered for moment-curvature computation = 1000
Confined section results:
My = 2084.85 kips-in
y = 0.00015915/in

Ec =57000 f 'c =3605 kips/2

Ig = 17280 in4

Secant EI
=0.21<0.35
Ec I g
Question:

Why does ACI 318-11 specify higher

Secant EI
Ec I g

value (which is in the range

of 0.35-0.5) than what is theoretically obtained (i.e. 0.21) ? This could be

dangerous as we should not overestimate the stiffness.