DISTRESSES IN STRUCTURES DUE TO OVERLOADING

Prepared by
ARJUN RAJ P K
Roll No:P200045CE
PhD Scholar
Dept of Civil Engineering
NITC
Structural loads acting on the members
Simply supported Reinforced concrete Beams
• Reinforcing bars are placed in the concrete to carry tension forces.
• A simply supported beam with loading from the top experiences tension in
its bottom (maximum tension at mid-span), while compressive forces are
acting in the top portion (maximum compression at midspan).
• When reinforcing bars are subjected to tension, they stretch. The concrete
around the reinforcing bars is consequently subject to tension and stretches.
• When tension in excess of tensile strength of concrete is reached, transverse
cracks may appear near the reinforcing bars (unless prestressed).
Cantilevered members

Tension is greatest at the member's fixed end. Tension forces are carried
by the reinforcing steel located in the top portion of the member.
Critical factors should be considered when using cantilevered members:
• The negative moment steel must be placed in the correct position near the
member's top surface. Improper placement of the reinforcing steel may
result in bending failure of a structural member.
• Tension cracks that develop over the negative moment steel are natural
canyons for moisture and other corrosion-inducing sub-stances.
• Heavy corrosion results in section loss and causes proportional loss in
tension capacity. Yielding of reinforcing steel may result in hinging and
complete failure.
Loads acting on continuous spans
• Most cast-in-place structures are de-
signed as continuous members.
Unlike simple spans, continuous
spans transfer load to adjacent spans.
• For static loadings, tension stresses
usually occur at the bottom (positive
moment), at midspan, and at the top
(negative moment) over supports.
• Concrete in negative moment areas
(tensile zone) may be subject to
tension cracking.
• Repeated deflection reversals occur
at Point B, both while the vehicle is
on the bridge and just after the
vehicle has left the bridge.
• Continued stress reversals and
vibrations can induce cracking, and
widen and deepen existing cracks.
• Cracking is aggravated by increase in
span deflection.
• Cracking occurs in planes of
weakness, particularly along the
uppermost transverse reinforcement.
Slab/Beam to column shear Horizontal forces can
accumulate from:
• Volume changes
caused by
temperature
changes.
• Elastic shortening
caused by post-
tension forces.
• Foundation
movements
caused by Baffle-
ment or
earthquakes.
Columns
• Columns are designed to carry vertical loads. Concrete, like all materials,
stretches (lengthens) under tension, and compresses (shortens) under
compression.
• When concrete is compressed, the member shortens (vertical strain) and
bulges (horizontal strain).
• Horizontal strain is equal to vertical strain times Poisson's Ratio (01-0.2).
• The bulge generates tension forces that are restrained by steel reinforce-ment
(column ties).
Shortening of columns consists of three components:
• Elastic shortening
• Creep shortening
• Drying shrinkage
• Elastic shortening. Elastic shortening occurs as soon as loads are applied, and
is equal to stress (psi) divided by E (elastic modulus).
• Creep shortening. Creep shortening occurs over time and is affected by
constant stress and long-term loss of moisture (concrete maturity).
• Drying shrinkage. Drying shrinkage occurs over time with loss of moisture and
is a time-dependent process.
Post tensioned members
• The member is compressed with high-tensile steel strands.
• The strands are jacked from one end of the member, and slippage of the
strand through the concrete is allowed with grease and sheathing.
• The stretching of the strands compresses the concrete to offset any tension
stress from future service loads.
• The lack of tension in the concrete reduces the potential for tension
cracking. Upon stressing, the concrete shortens. This is known as elastic
shortening.
• The amount of elastic shortening depends upon the modulus of elasticity
(E) and the unit stress to which the concrete is compressed.
• After stressing, long-term shortening, known as creep, will take place. it
may take over 1500 days to reach ultimate creep.
Post tensioned members
Post tensioned members
• Common problem in post-tensioned structures is lack of design consideration
of volume changes in members caused by elastic and plastic (creep)
shortening.
• Short columns in parking structures with opposing post-tensioned framing
are ideal locations for stress relief
• The column designed for vertical loads is subject to horizontal pulling in
opposite directions, thereby causing sever shear cracking.
• The shear is also aggravated by diurnal solar heating if the structure is
directly exposed to the sun.
Cylindrical structures • Non uniform loads surrounding
1. Buried Pipes the pipe may result in
deformation of the pipe.
• Loads on top may exceed the
load on the pipe's underside.
• The pipe is compressed in the
vertical axis and bulges along
the horizontal axis.
• Cracks may develop, forming
hinges at three possible
locations: the crown (top of
pipe), and at the two spring
line locations (side of pipe).
Cylindrical structures • Pressure is greatest at the
2. Tanks bottom and zero at the top
surface.
• Internal pressure pushes
against the tank wall, creating
tension.
• The tension forces must be
carried by the reinforcing steel
that circles the tank.
• The amount of stress in the
reinforcing steel dictates how
well the steel holds the
concrete together, thereby
preventing cracking.
Connections
• Precast double-T stems resting on
ledger beams often point load the front
edge of the non-reinforced portion of
the ledger beam.
• Point loading can be a result of rotation
(diurnal solar heating) or length change
from seasonal thermal changes.

Point loading of contact points is quite common, often resulting in excessive tension and
shear. Extremities and edges of members subject to point loading are free to crack and spall
when tension stresses exceed the tensile capacity of the concrete.
 • Rolling loads place the joint edges into
Connections contact with one another, often
creating stresses that spall and crack
the non-reinforced portions.
• Another common problem with pave-
ment slabs is the filling of the open
joint with non-compressible debris,
preventing the joint from undergoing
free thermal expansion.
• Restrained volume change can induce
very high shear, compression and
tension stresses.
Slabs cast on grade are separated by construction joints. Shear
transfer between slabs at these joints are locations where
point loading can occur.
References
• https://nptel.ac.in/courses/105/106/105106202/
• Concrete Repair and Maintenance Illustrated • Problem Analysis • Repair
Strategy • Techniques Peter H. Emmons