CE23 : Design of RC Structures Assignment-2 July-October, 2017 : Week-2

Q 11: If the strain softening is considered after 0.2% strain, the assumed stress block
will be

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Explanation : In a uniaxial test, a specimen will deform up to yield and then generally
soften. In ideal cases, it becomes perfectly-plastic. In the perfectly plastic case,
once the stress reaches the yield point, plastic deformation follows, so long as the
stress is maintained at yield stress. If the stress is reduced, elastic unloading occurs.
In the hardening case, once yield occurs, the stress needs to be continually increased
in order to drive the plastic deformation. Materials can also strain soften. In this
case, the stress-strain curve "turns down". The yield surface for such a material
will in general decrease in size with further straining.
CE23 : Design of RC Structures Assignment-2 July-October, 2017 : Week-2

Hence the stress strain distribution for softening occurring after the 0.2% (i.e. 0.002), the
stress block will soften and will be as follows

Answer : 11. (c)