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Setting Up Incremental and Long Term Deflection Check in SAFE

This document discusses setting up incremental and long-term deflection checks in SAFE software according to CSI recommendations. It defines four nonlinear load cases to model self-weight, superimposed dead loads, and live loads. It also outlines parameters needed like modulus of rupture and creep/shrinkage values. The document explains that incremental deflection, using a combination of the load cases, should be checked against a limit of L/500 while long-term deflection is checked against L/250. Finally, it provides a link to the CSI wiki page with more information on cracked section analysis in SAFE.

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252 views7 pages

Setting Up Incremental and Long Term Deflection Check in SAFE

This document discusses setting up incremental and long-term deflection checks in SAFE software according to CSI recommendations. It defines four nonlinear load cases to model self-weight, superimposed dead loads, and live loads. It also outlines parameters needed like modulus of rupture and creep/shrinkage values. The document explains that incremental deflection, using a combination of the load cases, should be checked against a limit of L/500 while long-term deflection is checked against L/250. Finally, it provides a link to the CSI wiki page with more information on cracked section analysis in SAFE.

Uploaded by

Daniaaa
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Setting up Incremental and

Long-Term Deflection
Checks in SAFE per
CSI Recommendation
O N N O V E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 19 B Y E N G R D E N N I S M E RC AD O I N AN AL Y S I S , E L E M E N T D E S I G N , R C
S L AB , S AF E , S AF E M O DE L L I N G , S L AB DE S I G N , S O F T W AR E

If we are to maximize the full potential of SAFE, we ought to take advantage of its

capability to perform nonlinear analysis and cracking of slabs.

This has something to do with the floor system’s nonlinear behavior with respect to

transient and sustained gravity loads. If you are still at a loss why the heck do we

need to check such condition, it is because codes and local authorities stipulate the

strict compliance of resulting deflections to specified limits. That, my friends is one

of the few serviceability criteria that we as structural engineers must ensure are met.

All good?

But before we proceed, let us first delimit our discussion to conventional reinforced

concrete slabs (beam-slab or flat slab systems to be specific). Obviously, post-

tensioned slab, composite construction, and proprietary slab systems such as hollow
cores have different deflection mechanics compared to conventional ones. But then

again, they are beyond the scope of our discussion.

If you’re new to this topic and you want to know more theoretical background on

what happens after a loaded slab exceeds its modulus of rupture during bending,

please refer to this link. After which, you can come back here to finish the rest of this

article.

Let’s now proceed with how are we going to define nonlinear and cracked load cases

in SAFE.

But first things first, we have to define some parameters

1. When flexural stresses exceed a certain threshold, it cracks. That threshold is what
we call the modulus of rupture. In ACI, that is 62 percent of the square root of
concrete’s compressive strength (clause 9.5.2.3 of ACI 318-11) Consult your
structural bibles or local authorities if you’re using non-American codes.
2. Creep coefficient and shrinkage strain. Again, the values of which vary accordingly.
If I’m not mistaken, American codes adopted values for shrinkage strain from either
CIRIA or British Standards. I could be wrong so please do some research.
3. Finally, the typical reinforcement required for our software to be able to iterate
results. Inasmuch as the reinforcement varies across the slab area (e.g. required
additional top bars on supports, and additional bottom bars at midspan) minimum
mesh depending on the slab thickness is sufficient for initial iterations.

With the required parameters checked, let us now define 4 nonlinear load cases

considering the nomenclature below:

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SW = self-weight of the structure


SDL = superimposed dead loads

LL = live loads

Case 1 is the nonlinear immediate action of all loads where Case 1 = SW + SDL + LL

Case 2 is the nonlinear immediate reduced loads where Case 2 = SW + SDL +

0.25*LL
Case 3 is the long-term
term reduced loads where Case 3 = SW + SDL + 0.25*LL. Note

that you can have different values for creep coefficient and shrinkage strain

depending on what is recommended for your projects.


Case 4 is the nonlinear immediate action of dead loads where Case 4 = SW + SDL
We have 2 nonlinear deflection cases to check. They are the long term and

incremental
cremental deflection. Of the two, the one with the more stringent requirement is

the incremental deflection check since this is what is usually used to check

deflections in consideration of brittle finishes such as glass partitions and glass

railings. The usual limit for incremental deflection is L/500 while it’s L/250 for long
term deflections. Again, this can vary depending on the code used so better check

your limits.

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Finally, we just have to show the deflection using the 2 load combinations to check

against the limits, and they are:

Long Term Deflection: Case 3 + (Case 1 – Case 2)

Incremental Deflection: Case 3 + (Case 1 – Case 2) – Case 4

In the title, I mentioned that this was per recommendation of Computers and

Structures Inc. Below is the link from CSIWiki in case you’re wondering where in the

world did I get all of these.

https://wiki.csiamerica.com/display/safe/Cracked-section+analysis

As always, thank you for reading.

https://engrdennisbmercado.wordpress.com/2019/11/28/setting-up-incremental-and-long-term-
deflection-checks-in-safe-per-csi-recommendation/

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