Design examples for

strut-and-tie models

Technical Report prepared by

Working Party 1.1-3
in fib Task Group 1.1, Design Applications

September 2011
Contents

Preface iii

Examples
1 Solving structural design problems with strut-and-tie models 1
Sebastian Dieste Ballestrino, Jose Romo Martin, Eduardo Garcia Diaz, Hugo Corres Peiretti

The strut-and-tie method has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for the modelling and design of
structural concrete. In the conceptual and the structural
design stage, the method allows study of different
resistant models and evaluation of the most suitable one. In the analysis stage, this method enables the
stresses in the structure to be adequately evaluated, allowing calculation of the amount of reinforcement
and verification of the stress level of concrete. Additionally, it is especially useful in identifying the
critical zones and organizing the reinforcement layout.
This Example 1 provides a set of application examples for the strut-and-tie method that allows us to
understand the creation of the models and the verification of the elements, struts, ties and nodes. Simple
structural elements have been chosen, usually designed according to certain traditional rules
as they are

that are often applied without clear justification. These examples are: Example 1-1: Footing under
uniaxial bending; Example 1-2: Footing under biaxial bending; Example 1-3: Pile cap for precast

concrete piles; Example 1—4: Diaphragm of a box girder bridge.

For those facing the design with strut-and-tie models for the first time these examples are intended to be a

guide and a reference for similar cases. For those with more experience in structural design, some

refinements and possible difficulties in applying the method are discussed.

2 Precast corbels fitted to columns 31

Jean-Marc Voumard

In a repair work new corbels had to be fitted to existing columns with post-tensioned bars. The new

corbels made of two precast

are "C"-shaped concrete elements. A simple and a more refined strut-and-tie
model is presented, and a check performed of the transfer of forces by friction across the interface
between corbel and column.

3 Lift shaft substructure 37

Stein Atle Haugerud, Karolin Reineck

The example demonstrates the application of strut-and-tie model approach for the design of a lift shaft
substructure in a 7-story office building. The design with the aid of strut-and-tie models, widely based on
the FIP Recommendations (1999), is presented in detail for a deep beam subjected to concentrated loads
from intersecting members. The example deals with issues related to concentrated loads near support and
detailing aspects of indirect supports. The development of the strut-and-tie model is outlined followed by
capacity checks and consequent detailing of critical anchorage zones.

4 Continuous deep beam 45

Miguel S. Lourengo, Joao F. Almeida, Rui Boia

This example shows the application of strut-and-tie models to the design and detailing of a continuous
deep beam in an office building. It is a simple model, although some special aspects are worth mentioned,
namely the support stiffness, minimum reinforcement disposals and detailing in node regions. A strut-
and-tie model is developed for the whole region and the node regions are checked. Finally, the detailing is
presented following closely the developed strut-and-tie model.

5 Shear wall in office building 53

Ludovit Fillo, Vladimir Benko

A twenty-storey office building was designed for Vienna, Austria. This 76 m tall structure has plan
dimensions of 17 m (30 m) 54 m. A transverse shear wall of varying dimensions was designed with
strut-and-tie models for a combination of seismic, permanent and imposed loads.

6 Deep beam with an opening 67

Tjen Tjhin, Sukit Yindeesuk, Daniel Kuchma

A large load
transfer beam is designed to support a heavy concentrated load and a lighter distributed

loading. This storey deep beam is simply supported at its left edge, while the right side frames into a
shear wall. The design is complicated by the presence of a rectangular opening between the concentrated
load and the shear wall.

IV fib Bulletin 61: Design examples for strut-and-tie models

7 Anchorage block for external prestressing tendon

-
comparison with test results 77
Toshio Ichihashi, Hiroshi Shiratani

An anchorage block on a concrete bridge deck, arranged on the thin slab or web and subjected to

prestressing force of external tendons, is a typical D-region problem for concrete structures. In this
example, a three-dimensional strut-and-tie model is applied to an actually implemented loading test using
a 1/2 size model of an anchorage block. The anchorage block was analysed according to FIP

Recommendations (1999) in order to estimate its capacity. The calculated capacity has been compared
with the test result. It was concluded that the strut-and-tie model has proved to be useful for estimating
the anchorage capacity.

8 Suspended precast RC member 85

Eudovit Fillo, Jaroslav Halvonik

Thebridge links two parts of the shopping centre "Avion" divided by busy street in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Heavy traffic forced authorities to keep opened the street during construction works. Contractor was
forced to offer a semi-precast solution that allowed building bridge without significant disturbances of the
traffic. This was reason to use suspended precast reinforced concrete members. Special shape, support
and loads of this prefabricated shell offer the possibility for analysis by strut and tie models.

9 Connection between prefabricated beams 95

Miguel S. Lourenqo, Jose N. Camara

This example shows the application of strut-and-tie models for the design of the connection between
prefabricated beams of a viaduct. Two different models were developed for the de-sign, considering both

construction and service loads. The nodal regions close to the prestress anchorage zones were checked
and the detailing is presented following the performed design models.

10 Clamped support of large prefabricated T-girder 103

Hannes Ludescher

In the example, the clamped support of a large T-girder in a connection

composed of shear panels is
illustrated. The beam with span of about 35 m is
a placed prefabricated girder and consecutively
as

integrated into the structure in order to establish a clamped support. In the operational phase, the
connection has to resist to large closing and minor opening moments. The example illustrates the design
for the closing moment, starting with the definition of section forces and qualitative modelling. As a

result, tendon layout is amended and main reinforcement intensities are outlined.

11 Abutment shear wall of Viaduct 1 on Algarve Highway 117

Miguel S. Lourenqo, Jodo F. Almeida

This example shows the application of strut-and-tie models for the design of a viaduct fixed abutments

shear walls subject to seismic and permanent loads. Seismic actions conduce to several load conditions,
though different strut-and-tie models were performed. Concrete stresses at node regions were checked
assuming simplified considerations for the compression strength subject to reverse and cyclic loads. Local
third plane models were developed to improve the detailing of critical anchorage zones and load support

regions.

12 Designing D-regions of the Enmedio stream bridge 133

Santiago Perez-Fadon Martinez, Carlos J. Bajo Pavia

This example presents the design of five discontinuity regions (D-regions) of the Enmedio Stream Bridge
using strut-and-tie models. It is shown that even or especially for very complex D-regions the strut-and-
tie models appropriate and excellent design tool,
are an which explains the flow of forces and thus leads

to a better understanding of the structure.

13 D-regions of the pylons of a cable-stayed bridge 155

Due Thanh Nguyen
In this example the check of two typical D-regions in Pylons of a cable-stayed bridge using strut-and-tie
models are presented. These are the regions where the loads from the stiffening beam are transferred to
the pylons and to their cross beams. It shows that strut-and-tie models can follow clearly the flow of
forces and, therefore, are excellent tools for the check and de-tailing of such complicated D-regions.

fib Bulletin 61: Design examples for strut-and-tie models V

14 Design of T-connections in an offshore terminal 163
Hannes Ludescher, Stein Atle Haugerud
The design of off-shore terminals is characterised by a high number of loading situations. They result
from various load phases, starting with construction including post-tensioning, assembling, transportation,
installation, operation and accidental situations. In order to cover all critical situations in every section of
the structure, a systematic and highly automated de-sign process has been developed. Modern computers
enable to verify structural safety and serviceability for hundreds of design combinations in all sections.
Contrary to sectional design of B-regions, design of D-regions cannot be automated. Engineering
judgement is required to identify and delimit these regions, establish design criteria for the various
elements and develop models that allow verification of these criteria. This article presents the design

process adopted for the design of connections in an off-shore terminal, mainly of T-shaped connections.

Papers
15 Strut-and-tie models utilizing concrete tension fields 185
Karl-Heinz Reineck

In codes the utilization of the concrete tensile strength has often been denied and explicitly been ruled

out. Yet, the bond and anchorage of reinforcement in concrete members cannot be explained without the
action of the concrete tensile strength. However, this is covered by using shear stresses for the bond
strength. Likewise, the ultimate capacity of members without shear reinforcement has been defined in
terms of shear stresses, for which empirically derived formulae are given. However, such equations do
not give any insight in the structural behav-iour and the flow of the forces within the member.

This paper describes the shear transfer in members without shear reinforcement and derives a simple truss
model with inclined concrete ties. However, the ultimate capacity cannot be explained by the concrete
ties attaining the concrete tensile strength but it is determined by the limited capacity of the friction along
the cracks and the dowel action. This model also explains the transition from B- to D-regions in members
without shear reinforcement and enables the design of the D-regions, as demonstrated by an example.

16 Gaining experience with strut-and-tie models for the design of

concrete structures 197
Karl-Heinz Reineck, Miguel S. Lourengo, Joao F. Almeida, Stein Atle Haugerud

Author information 217

Editorial Comments

In the drawings of strut-and-tie models the following well known convention is used:
for struts: dashed lines and for ties: solid lines.

The notation follows that of the CEB-FIP Model Code 1990 respectively that of the FIP
Recommendations 1999 "Practical design of structural concrete.

For the spacing of reinforcing bars various symbols were used in the examples according to the
different traditions in the various countries:

a @ at c s = / // -
#

In the calculations the decimal symbol is a comma (,), and for the thousands separator a point (.)
is used. However, due to different conventions in CAD programs, in some figures the decimal
point used instead of a comma; in such cases a note has been added the relevant figure caption.

vi fib Bulletin 61: Design examples for strut-and-tie models