CVE20003 – DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES,

LABORATORY, 2021

DUE: 11:59pm Sunday 24 October 2021

CONCRETE INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA - VICTORIA BRANCH

STUDENT FRAME COMPETITION 2021
Competition to predict the load capacity and failure mode of a concrete frame element

Objective
To perform a structural analysis using established methods to predict the load capacity of reinforced
structural concrete elements as close as possible to the failure load.
Background
The local council is planning to build a new skate ramp and bouldering wall. The design incorporates
a precast concrete C-frame as shown that combines the support for the skate ramp and the
bouldering wall.

A requirement is to maximise recycled materials in the project. Options to construct the C-frame
include:
• Standard concrete

The frame is shown on the below diagram. Your task is to determine the load carrying capacity of
the frame (represented as the point load, P) and the failure mode.
The frame will be load tested to check your results. The load test arrangement will mimic the load
arrangement on site as shown on the diagram below.

Frame 1

Standard reinforcedconcrete
• 40MPa concrete
• 500 grade reinforcement
• Cover = 35mm

You realise that to calculate the load capacity, safety factors are not appropriate, and real material
properties should be used. You might want to consider the effects on strength at the frame corners.
You may research and investigate real material properties of materials. As a guide, real material
properties can be in the order of:
• Concrete: The design compressive strength shown above is for 28 days – Note that these frames
are planned to be tested at 28 days. Actual strength will typically be higher and you are required
to do some research to estimate the strength to use in your calculations.
• Reinforcing steel: Design tensile strength of 500 MPa – Actual strength varies from 550 MPa to
580 MPa.
Frame dimensions

Frame reinforcement
Entry Criteria
Entries will be accepted from groups of only undergraduate students (and masters students at
Melbourne University as part of their 5 year course) at the time of entry.

Prize
First Prize: $500 plus certificate

Rules

1. The concrete structural elements will be subjected to a constantly increasing load as shown in the
diagram. The load capacity is determined when the beam can no longer sustain the applied load.
Your entry is to include a failure load for each of the three concrete elements tested.
2. Entry should contain detailed calculations clearly written. The use of concrete design software is
not permitted. A single pdf file containing the calculations needs to be emailed with other
information as outlined below.
3. First prize: The judging criteria is the predicted load capacity of the three concrete elements
based on the aggregated formula outlined in the entry form. Calculations must be readable with
the correct methodology.
4. The tests will be conducted by staff at Swinburne University’s Smart Structures Laboratory.
Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, there may not be an audience this year, therefore the tests
will be recorded with video and played back during a future webinar if we are unable to hold an in-
person event.
5. Entries close 11:59pm Sunday 24 October 2021. Late entries will not be accepted.
6. The entries shall be submitted by emailing to: vic@concreteinstitute.com.au with the subject line
“Student Frame Competition”
7. Entries must be in pdf format as a single document to be considered.
8. Judging panel’s decision will be final.
9. Winners will be notified during the webinar planned for Wednesday 27 October 2021 (subject to
change).
ENTRY FORM
CONCRETE INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA - VICTORIA BRANCH

Competition to predict the load capacity of three concrete frame elements

Entry Form. This entry form is to be completed and submitted along with supporting
documentation as a single pdf document.

University Name:

Campus:

Student Names:

First Name Surname Signature

University Academic Staff Responsible for the student Group

Name:

Signature:

Date:
Summary of the Entry
Table to be completed by the entrants:
Predicted load
Beam
capacity
Frame 1
Note: Loads are to be in kN, to the nearest one decimal place.

Email the single PDF file containing this entry form and the calculations justifying the above values.

The winning entry will be calculated using the table below to obtain the best aggregate of the
predicted load capacities that are closest to the tested failure loads.

Predicted Tested load

Beam Weighting Difference* Score
load capacity capacity
Frame 1 PP PT w1 = 80% D = PP – PT S1 = w1 x D1 / PT1
* Note: The difference PP – PT will be taken as the absolute value (ignoring positive or negative).

The submission with the lowest score who has submitted reasonable calculations will be the
winner.