25/04/2022

STRUT-AND-TIE MODELLING
Introduction and Codes

Lecture Objectives

In this lecture, we will discuss:

 Why conventional beam theory can only be used for analysis
and design of some regions in structures? Alternative
approaches for other regions?
 Lower-bound and upper-bound theories of plasticity

 Definition and identification of a discontinuity

 Definition and identification of B- and D- regions

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B- & D- Regions

B- & D- Regions
Beams under Flexure (from CIVL2360)
 Uncracked:  Cracked:

 Bernoulli's hypothesis of “plane

sections remaining plane” is valid.
We’ve utilised:
 Strain compatibility
 Stress equilibrium
 Stress-strain (constitutive)
laws of steel and concrete

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B- & D- Regions
Beams under Flexure (from CIVL2360)
 Ultimate:

We’ve utilised:
 Strain compatibility

 Stress equilibrium

 Stress-strain laws of
steel and concrete
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Basic principles of mechanics of materials

Correct load-deformation relationship of a structure should satisfy
3 principles of mechanics of materials:
 Stress equilibrium

 Strain compatibility

 Stress-strain laws of materials

 Bernoulli's hypothesis of
“plane sections remaining
plane” is valid for beams in
flexure.

 How about regions where

Bernoulli’s hypothesis is no
longer valid?

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B- & D- Regions

 Discontinuity: Abrupt change in geometry or loading.

 B-regions: beam theory applies; dominated by bending
(B=Bending/Bernoulli)
 D-regions (shaded): beam theory does not apply; dominated by non-
flexural stresses (D=Disturbed/Discontinuous)
 Approaches for design and analysis of D-regions?
 Similar levels of accuracy for B- and D- regions?

Lower-bound theory of plasticity

 A stress field that satisfies equilibrium and does not violate yield
criteria at any point provides a lower-bound estimate of
capacity of elastic-perfectly plastic materials.
 Provided a structure is ductile, each load for which any statically
admissible stress state can be given is either the collapse load
or a lower bound of the collapse load.
 If a designer can figure out a way for a structure to carry a set
of design ultimate loads such that equilibrium is satisfied, yield
criteria are not violated and ductile response is ensured, the
structure will be able to carry the loads.
Yield condition LB
Equilibrium condition LB UB
Mechanism condition UB
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Lower-bound theory of plasticity

 Upper-bound: Yield line theory

for slab design.

 “Exact” solution

 Lower-bound: Strut-and-tie
modelling; Hillerborg Strip
method for slab design

Yield condition LB
Equilibrium condition LB UB
Mechanism condition UB
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Food for Thought?

Scenario:
 We typically design structures on the basis of some set of

internal forces/stresses in the structure.

 However, the internal forces/stresses in actual structure are

likely different.

Questions:
 Are there any problems with our approach? Is our

approach safe? How can we ensure that our approach is

sufficiently safe?

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B- & D- Regions

 Discontinuity: Abrupt change in geometry or loading.

 B-regions: beam theory applies; dominated by bending
(B=Bending/Bernoulli)
 D-regions (shaded): beam theory does not apply; dominated by non-
flexural stresses (D=Disturbed/Discontinuous)
 Approaches for design and analysis of D-regions?
 Similar levels of accuracy for B- and D- regions?

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St Venant’s Principle
 The localised effects of a disturbance dies out about one
member-depth from the point of the disturbance.

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B- & D- Regions
 B-regions: beam theory applies
(B=Bending or Bernoulli).
Stress/Strain governed by simple
equilibrium and compatibility
conditions.
 D-regions: beam theory does not
apply (D=Disturbed or
Discontinuous).

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Summary

In this lecture, we have discussed:

 Why conventional beam theory can only be used for analysis
and design of some regions in structures? Alternative
approaches for other regions?
 Lower-bound and upper-bound theories of plasticity

 Definition and identification of a discontinuity

 Definition and identification of B- and D- regions

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