Parametric study on the computational behaviour of hollow beams designed using the Direct Design Method - Material factors

The aim of this paper is to report on some computational experiments conducted to study the effects of some of the material parameters on the predicted behaviour and the final failure load of hollow beams, using a 2D in-house finite element program. The beams were subjected to bending moment, torsion and shear force. They were designed using the Direct Design Method. The computational results were compared with the measured values. It was found that factors like tension stiffening and shear retention have significant effects on beam behaviour and ultimate load while factors like tensile strength of concrete, maximum compressive strain and compressive strength of concrete have less effects.