Learning from research

Research is necessary to explore the limits of the behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. Research in this field has spanned many years, with the advantage that the knowledge gained in the past is, for the most part, still valid today. The examples below provide an idea of the range of questions that arise and demonstrate that accurate modelling allows for a closer approximation of the actual behaviour of structures.

Deep walls

• Effect of the introduction of loads at the top or at the bottom of the wall

• Effect of the intensity of a low or larger axial force on the behaviour at failure

Reinforced concrete beams

• Effect of the presence of post-tensioning tendons in thin webs

EPSF – Elasto Plastic Stress Fields

This subject was investigate in detail as part of a research project at EPFL for the Swiss Federal Roads Office (ASTRA, mandate AGB 2009/009). The results are presented rapport OFROU FB 680, Assessment of Existing Structures based on Elastic-Plastic Stress Fields ; Modelling of Critical Details and Investigation of the In-Plane Shear Transverse Bending Interaction, A. Muttoni. M. Fernández Ruiz, F. Niketic, 2016.

The EPSF database presents the main parameters of the studied tests and provides access to a numerical model of each test, which can be run online as long as your browser allows it.