Estimation of restraint Introduction

C660 - Estimation of restraint

This calculator estimates restraint in a wall cast onto a rigid based. The method is based of the ACI approach in which the restraint at the joint is determined by the relative
stiffness of the new section and the section against which it is cast. The variation in restraint with height is determined by the length to height ratio.
The method is described in detail in Appendix A5

PAGE 2 RESTRAINT

Wall geometry The wall geometry is define by the length L, the height H and the thickness, h
The base geometry is define by the width Wand the thickness, h . The length is assumed to be the same as the length
Base geometry
of wall being cast
The ratio of the cross sectional area (c.s.a.) of the wall An and the base Ao is calculated. The relative areas of
influence Ao and An may be difficult to define. For example, when a wall is cast onto a slab, what width of slab
should be considered as providing effective restraint? In such circumstances it is recommended that the relative area
is assumed to be in proportion to the relative thicknesses, hn and ho, of the wall and slab. The following simple rules
Relative areas
may be applied.
• For a high wall cast at the edge of a slab assume An/Ao = hn/ho
• For a wall cast remote from the edge of a slab assume An/Ao = hn/2ho
• For a slab cast against an existing slab assume An/Ao = hn/ho

CIRIA 135 recommends that the ratio En/Eo is assume to be in the range 0.7 to 0.8 at early-age. The lower value
gives most conservative result and should be used for conditions in which cool-down is most rapid. When
Relative modulus of elasticity
estimating restraint to long term deformations, should there be any differential strains, it should be assumed that
En/Eo = 1

1
R j=
Restraint at the joint Rj An En
1+
Ao E o

CIRIA C660 PAGE 1

Estimation of restraint Calculator

Estimation of restraint
Wall on a rigid base
Cells for input data

Dimensions Wall Base

Length 12 m
Height 4 m Width 2.85 m
Thickness 0.5 m Thickness 0.85 m
c.s.a. An 2 m2 c.s.a Ao 2.42 m2

Ratio of areas An/Ao 0.83

Ratio of moduli En/Eo 1.00

Restraint factor at joint Rj 0.55

4.5
Height (m)

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Restraint 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

CIRIA C660 PAGE 2