Title:
Stress Redistribution in Cyclically Loaded Reinforced Concrete Beams
Author(s):
Patrick J. Heffernan, Marie-Anne Erki, and David L. DuQuesnay
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
101
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
261-268
Keywords:
beam; design; fatigue; load; reinforced concrete; strain; stress
DOI:
10.14359/13024
Date:
3/1/2004
Abstract:
Although historically there has been little concern about the fatigue life of reinforced concrete flexural members, the recent emphasis on rehabilitation and extending the service life of our existing infrastructure brings to the fore concerns about the fatigue life of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and slabs. This paper presents a predictive fatigue model using a concept of stress redistributions in an RC beam when loaded cyclically. Cyclic properties of the constituent materials are combined with a strain-life approach to metal fatigue prediction to calculate the fatigue life of RC beams. Theoretical results are validated by experimental results previously reported. The cyclic stress redistribution and strain-life approach to fatigue calculations appear appropriate for calculating residual fatigue life of RC members being considered for rehabilitation.