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Chapter 1: Introduction

This document provides an introduction to reinforced concrete, including: 1. It describes how steel reinforcement improves the tensile strength of concrete. 2. It lists some advantages of reinforced concrete such as durability, ability to form different shapes, and economy. 3. It briefly outlines the historical development of reinforced concrete from its invention in the 1850s to standardization organizations in the early 20th century.

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200 views8 pages

Chapter 1: Introduction

This document provides an introduction to reinforced concrete, including: 1. It describes how steel reinforcement improves the tensile strength of concrete. 2. It lists some advantages of reinforced concrete such as durability, ability to form different shapes, and economy. 3. It briefly outlines the historical development of reinforced concrete from its invention in the 1850s to standardization organizations in the early 20th century.

Uploaded by

praveennagarajan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.1 Reinforced Concrete Hardened plain concrete is characterized by its high compressive strength and its relatively low tensile strength. The addition of steel reinforcement, which is characterized by its high tensile strength in the tension regions, helps improve the resistance in these regions. The final product is known as reinforced concrete. Steel is used as a reinforcement element due to some factors, which are, Steel improves the resistance of concrete in the tension regions due to its high tensile and compressive strengths. Steel and concrete have similar thermal expansion coefficients; 0.000010 to 0.000013 for concrete and 0.000012 for steel per degree Celsius, thus causing negligible internal stresses resulting from temperature changes, which in turn, means a good bond between the two materials. Steel adds ductility which is required in the design process. The construction of reinforced concrete structures requires the use of a form to take the shape of the built member. The reinforcement is held in place in the form during the casting
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operation. Once the concrete has hardened to the required strength, only then the forms are removed. 1.2 Advantages of Reinforced Concrete Reinforced concrete is used as a prime construction material universally. It is used in constructing bridges, buildings, underground structures, hydraulic structures, and so many other uses. The remarkable success of reinforced concrete may be attributed to its numerous advantages. These include the following: Durability, especially fire resistance. Ability to be formed in different shapes. Rigidity, which means comfort for the occupants. Low-maintenance cost. Economy due to availability of inexpensive local materials. 1.3 Disadvantages of Reinforced Concrete Concrete has a low tensile strength, thus requiring the use of steel reinforcement. Low strength per unit weight compared to other structural materials such as structural steel. Requirements of forms and shoring, which involves labor,
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cost and time. The properties of concrete are variant due to proportioning and mixing. Quality control needs much more attention, compared to other materials such as structural steel. Time-dependent volume changes that may cause deflections or cracking, if restrained. 1.4 Historical Development In 1824, Portland cement was patented by the English Joseph Aspdin. The name Portland was used due to the resemblance of cement to the building stone quarried on the Isle of Portland of the English coast. The advantages of using steel reinforced concrete in building construction was first discovered in 1850 by a Frenchman called Joseph Lambot. He found that by adding thin steel bars or steel fibers to concrete, he could greatly increase the strength of the concrete, making it better for use in a variety of applications. In the early years, reinforced concrete was used for making a number of items, such as reinforced garden tubs, road guardrails, and reinforced concrete beams. Buildings that used reinforced concrete in their construction were constructed
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all over the world, especially in the United States, Canada and Europe. In 1878, the first reinforced concrete system was patented in the United States by an American by the name of Thaddeus Hyatt. Mathias Koenen, in Berlin, Germany, was the first experimenter to deduce methods of computation for load tests, publishing his analysis of tests conducted in Germany in 1886. Koenen based his theory of flexure on the following premises: (1) plane sections perpendicular to the neutral axis prior to bending remain so following bending; (2) stress is proportional to strain; (3) there is perfect bond between concrete and steel; and (4) tension stresses in the concrete are not considered. Koenens basic procedure is still generally accepted and used today. In the United States, the American Concrete Institute became an influential organization in the development of reinforced concrete standards. Chartered in 1906 as the National Association of Cement Users, it changed its name to ACI in 1913. 1.5 Vertical Load Structural Systems Building Frame: it is a complete frame system that provides support for gravity loads, shown in Figure 1.1.
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Moment-Resisting frame: it is a frame in which members and joints are capable of resisting forces, including lateral loads, primarily by flexure, shown in Figure 1.2. Bearing Wall: it is a complete vertical load-carrying space frame. 1.6 Structural Elements A concrete building may contain some or all of the following main structural elements, which are to be dealt with in detail in the following chapters of this book. Figures 1.1 show the main structural elements in a building frame system. These are discussed, in short, below. Slab is a horizontal plate element which is usually designed to resist gravity loads. The depth of the slab is usually very small compared to its length or width. It is usually designed to resist shear forces and bending moments. Beam is long, horizontal or inclined member with limited width and depth. Its main function is to support slab loads. It is designed to resist shearing forces, bending moments and torques, if any. Column is a member that supports beam or slab loads. It is designed to support axial loads and moments.
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Wall is a vertical plate element that resists gravity as well as lateral loads as in the case of retaining wall. It is usually designed to resist shear forces and bending moments. Stair is a structural member that provides means of movement from one floor to another in a structure. It is designed to resist shear forces and bending moments. Footing, or foundation, is a member that supports column or wall loads and transmit them directly to the soil. The footing is designed to resist shearing forces and bending moments.

Figure 1.1: Building Frame System

Figures 1.2 show the main structural elements in a momentresisting frame system. The frame consists of main beams (girders) and columns. The load on the slab is transferred to the girders then to the columns and footings.

Figure 1.2: Moment-Resisting Frame System

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