Structural behavior of steel-concrete composite beams with external prestressed tendons

Abstract

Composite beams prestressed with external tendons can be utilized in structural rehabilitation and new structural design. In the present study the behavior and design procedures for composite beams prestressed with external tendons will be investigated and discussed. The main characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, applications and constructive issues will be evaluate and discussed. Mathematics spreadsheets will be developed to systematize the design procedures and allow a parametric analysis. The parametric analysis will be conducted in order to evaluate the influence of parameters as tendon layout, steel profile cross-section, prestress level, and concrete slab thickness on the structural behavior of this special composite beam. A methodology for numerical analysis by finite element method (ANSYS program) will be developed and the numerical results will be compared with results available in the literature. The analysis of the results aims to contribute to the state of the art knowledge about the use of external prestressed of composite structures, the dissemination of this structural system and its insertion in the national design codes. (AU)