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Analysis of time-dependent effects in concrete structures using conventional

linear computer programs

Article in Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering · February 2001

DOI: 10.1139/cjce-28-2-190

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190

Analysis of time-dependent effects in concrete

structures using conventional linear computer
programs
Mamdouh M. Elbadry and Amin Ghali

Abstract: Analysis of the time-dependent changes in displacements, internal forces, and reactions at the supports in
continuous reinforced concrete structures cast, prestressed, and loaded at different stages is frequently needed in design
to satisfy the serviceability requirements. The time-dependent parameters considered in the analysis are creep and
shrinkage of concrete, relaxation of prestressed steel, sequence of construction, and changes in structural system and
support conditions. A procedure of analysis is presented using conventional linear analysis computer programs. The
analysis procedure is explained through examples to demonstrate its simplicity and applicability.

Key words: analysis, computer program, creep, displacement, frames, precast concrete, prestressed concrete, relaxation,
shrinkage, time-dependent.

Résumé : L’analyse des variations en fonction du temps des déplacements, des forces internes et des réactions aux
supports dans des structures de béton armé continues coulées, précontraintes et chargées à différentes étapes est fré-
quemment requise lors de la conception afin de satisfaire les exigences d’utilisation. Les paramètres dépendants du
temps considérés dans l’analyse sont le glissement et la contraction du béton, l’extension de l’acier précontraint, la sé-
quence de construction, et les changements dans le système structural et les conditions de support. Une procédure
d’analyse est présentée et utilise des programmes informatiques d’analyse linéaire conventionels. La procédure de
l’analyse est expliquée par le biais d’exemples afin de démontrer sa simplicité et son applicabilité.

Mots clés : analyse, programme informatique, glissement, déplacements, cadres, béton préfabriqué, béton précontraint,
extension, contraction, fonction du temps.

[Traduit par la Rédaction] 200

Introduction Elbadry and Ghali The analysis must also account for the effects of sequence of
Stresses, strains, and displacements of concrete structures
reinforced with or without prestressing vary continuously
with time as a result of the effects of creep and shrinkage of
concrete and relaxation of prestressed steel. These time-
dependent parameters cause redistribution of forces between
various members and produce changes in the internal forces
and the reactions at the supports of statically indeterminate
structures. The time-dependent changes are more important
in structures built in stages than in those constructed in one
operation.
Analysis of the time-dependent effects in concrete struc-
tures is normally done step-by-step (Ghali and Favre 1994)
by dividing the time into intervals to account for the varia-
tion with time of modulus of elasticity and creep and shrink-
age properties of concrete and relaxation of prestressed steel.
Received November 3, 1999. Revised manuscript accepted
August 30, 2000. Published on the NRC Research Press Web
site at http://cjce.nrc.ca on March 19, 2001.
M.M. Elbadry1 and A. Ghali. Department of Civil
Engineering, The University of Calgary, 2500 University
Drive, N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Written discussion of this article is welcomed and will be
received by the Editor until August 31, 2001.
1
Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.
Can. J. Civ. Eng. 28: 190–200 (2001) DOI: 10.1139/cjce-28-2-190
construction and for the changes in the statical system and
the support conditions during construction. This analysis re-
quires specialized computer programs to perform all the
computations involved. A number of these programs are
available in the literature (Tadros et al. 1979; Shushkewich
1986; Ketchum 1986; Elbadry and Ghali 1989, 1990).
It is shown in this paper that the analysis can be done us-
ing conventional linear structural analysis computer pro-
grams. The analysis procedure is simple and is applicable to
continuous reinforced concrete structures cast, prestressed,
and loaded at different stages. The analysis is explained by
examples to demonstrate its simplicity and applicability.
The procedure can be used to solve time-dependent analy-
sis problems of common occurrence in practice. As an ex-
ample, consider the effects of shortening, due to creep and
shrinkage, of a prestressed floor supported on columns con-
structed in an earlier stage. Interior columns are commonly
subjected to higher stress and larger creep deformation than
exterior columns; analysis of the effect of differential short-
ening of the columns in a high-rise building is another ex-
ample. Bridge structures are frequently composed of
members (segments) precast or cast-in situ made of concrete
of different ages or of concrete and steel (e.g., cable-stays).
The members are frequently erected, with or without the use
of temporary supports, and made continuous with cast-in
situ joints or with prestressing. In all these cases the analysis
procedure described below can be used by the application
© 2001 CNRC Canada
Elbadry and Ghali
and the superposition of the results of conventional linear
computer programs. Only structures that can be idealized as
beam or bar elements are considered here; thus the computer
programs that are applicable are those for plane or space
frames, plane or space trusses, or plane grids (e.g., the pro-
grams presented in Appendix L of Ghali and Neville 1997).
Assumptions and limitations
Immediate strain and creep are proportional to the stress,
and the effect of cracking is ignored. Thus, the analysis is
linear. The cross-sectional area properties of the concrete
members are assumed to be those of the gross concrete sec-
tion, without accounting for the presence of reinforcements.
The structures considered here are idealized as assemblage
of bar elements connected at nodes located on the centroidal
axes of the members. The variation of the location of the
centroid in the cross sections due to cracking or creep is ig-
nored. It is assumed that the entire cross section of any indi-
vidual member is built in one construction stage. Thus, the
time-dependent effects of differential creep and shrinkage of
members having cross sections composed of precast and
cast-in situ parts cannot be analyzed by the procedure dis-
cussed below. For a specialized computer program, which
does not impose the above constraints, see Elbadry and
Ghali (1990).
Time-dependent stress and strain in
concrete
The constitutive relations used in the analysis of the effects
of creep are given below. A stress increment Ds c (t0) intro-
duced at time t0 and sustained, without change in magnitude,
up to time t causes instantaneous strain and creep of total
magnitude given by
Ds c (t 0)
[1] De c (t) = [1 + f(t, t 0)]
Ec (t 0)
with Ec(t0) being the modulus of elasticity of concrete at age
t0 and f(t, t0) the creep coefficient.
When a stress increment Ds c (t, t0) is gradually introduced
from zero to its full value in the period t0 to t, the strain at
time t is given by
Ds c (t, t 0)
[2] De c (t, t 0) =
Ec (t, t 0)
where Ec (t, t 0) is the age-adjusted modulus of elasticity of
concrete for the period t0 to t,
Ec (t, t 0)
[3] Ec (t, t 0) =
1 + c(t, t 0)f(t, t 0)
where c(t, t0) is the aging coefficient (Trost 1967; Bazant
1972) whose value varies between 0.6 and 0.9. Graphs giv-
ing values of f and c for different ages at loading t0 and pe-
riods (t – t0) can be found in Ghali and Favre (1994). A
constant value c = 0.8 is frequently adopted in practice.
An alternative to the use of eq. [2] is to divide the period
between t0 and t into n intervals and to divide Ds c (t, t0) into
n small increments such that
191
n
[4] Ds c (t, t 0) = å ds i
i =1
Any small increment ds i is assumed to be introduced at
time ti, the middle of the ith interval. Application of eq. [1]
for each small stress increment and superposition gives
n
ì ds ü
[5] De c (t, t 0) = å í E (ti ) [1 + f(tn+1/ 2 , ti)]ý
i =1 î c i þ
where tn+1/2 (/ t) is the time at the end of the nth interval.
In almost all practical applications, the use of the aging
coefficient and the age-adjusted elasticity modulus, eqs. [2]
and [3], gives an acceptable approximation of eq. [5] and
greatly simplifies the analysis. This fact is well established
(Bazant 1972; Ghali and Favre 1994).
Shrinkage of concrete develops gradually with time start-
ing from the instant when curing is terminated. Typically, the
analysis for serviceability is concerned with the stresses and in-
ternal forces that develop during a period t0 to t in which the
shrinkage e cs(t, t0) is developed. The product -e cs(t, t 0) Ec (t, t 0)
gives the stress change that will be produced if the shrinkage
is fully restrained, where Ec (t, t 0) is the age-adjusted elastic-
ity modulus given by eq. [3].
Reduced relaxation of prestressed steel
The effect of relaxation of prestressed steel is commonly
tested by measuring the drop of the magnitude of tension in
a tendon stretched and maintained at constant length and no
change in temperature. The change in tensile stress, Ds pr ,
measured in the constant-length test is referred to as the in-
trinsic relaxation. The magnitude of the intrinsic relaxation
is heavily dependent on the value of the initial stress. In pre-
stressed concrete members, the length of the tendons is re-
duced as a result of creep and shrinkage of concrete. Under
such conditions, the absolute value of the relaxation is
smaller than the intrinsic relaxation. For this reason a re-
duced-relaxation value, Ds pr , is used in analysis of pre-
stressed structures. The magnitude of the reduced relaxation
is expressed as follows:
[6] D s pr = c r Ds pr
where Ds pr is the intrinsic relaxation in a constant-length re-
laxation test; c r is a dimensionless coefficient smaller than
unity. The value of c r depends upon the initial stress and the
loss of prestress due to creep and shrinkage of concrete
(Ghali and Favre 1994). In practice, c r @ 0.7 to 0.8.
In the analysis discussed below, the value of the reduced
relaxation, Ds pr , is assumed to be known. This is commonly
a negative quantity representing a loss of tensile stress. A
tensile stress is considered positive in this analysis, and an
elongation represents positive strain. Thus the free shrinkage
of concrete, e cs, is a negative quantity, which is also as-
sumed a known value in the analysis to follow.
Displacement method of structural analysis
For clarity of presentation it is useful to review the estab-
lished displacement method of analysis as applied to framed
structures composed of prismatic bar elements. The joints
© 2001 NRC Canada
192 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 28, 2001

can be rigid as in plane or space frames or plane grids; also, Fig. 1. Analysis of time-dependent fixed-end forces: (a) forces
the members can be pin-connected as in plane or space due to self-weight and prestressing applied at time t0; (b) the
trusses. The purpose of the analysis is to determine for each member ends become fixed at time t1; {Ar} are the member end-
member its end forces {F*}. As an example, the end forces forces at a later time t2; and (c) released structure and coordinate
for a typical plane frame member are represented by the six system.
coordinates 1*, …, 6* in Fig. 1a. With the joint displace-
ments artificially prevented and the loads applied, the forces
at the ends, {Ar}, of each member are determined. The sum
of the fixed member-end forces meeting at each joint gives
the restraining forces to generate a vector of nodal forces
{F}, which will artificially prevent the displacements at all
nodes (joints). The displacements due to forces applied on
the nodes are restrained by application of equal forces in re-
versed directions. These are included in the vector of re-
straining forces {F}. The artificial restraints are eliminated
by application of the restraining forces in reversed direction
resulting in nodal displacements, {D}, determined by solu-
tion of the equations:
[7] [S]{D} = –{F}
where [S] is the stiffness matrix of the structure. For each
member, the required end forces are determined by superpo-
sition:
[8] {F*} = {Ar} + [S*]{D*}
where [S*] is the stiffness matrix; the elements of the ith col-
umn of this matrix are the member end forces when
D*i = 1; D*i is the displacement at one of the member coordi-
nates (e.g., 1*, 2*, …, 6* in Fig. 1a). For a plane frame, {F}
and {D} are composed of three elements per node; {F*},
{Ar}, and {D*} are composed of six elements per member.
In the following discussion it is assumed that a computer
program is available for linear analysis of a framed structure time-dependent forces in a continuous frame composed of
composed of prismatic members. The input data include precast elements cast and prestressed at different stages.
forces applied at the nodes, together with {Ar} for the mem- Figure 1a represents a typical member of a plane frame
bers subjected to loads away from the joints or subjected to subjected at time t0 to prestressing combined with other
temperature variation. In addition, the input data include the loads, for example, self-weight and temperature rise. Let the
geometry of the structure and its material properties. Exam- immediate displacements and forces at member ends be
ples of computer programs of this type are PLANEF, {D*(t0)} and {F*(t0)}, respectively, at the member local co-
SPACEF, PLANET, SPACET, and PLANEG described in ordinates shown in Fig. 1a. Assume that at time t1 (>t0) the
Appendix L of Ghali and Neville (1997); these are for plane increase in nodal displacements due to creep is prevented.
and space frames, plane and space trusses, and plane grids, What are the changes in member end forces, {Ar(t2, t1)},
respectively. which will develop in the period t1 to a later time t2? The an-
Some commercial computer programs calculate {Ar} from swer will be used in the analysis of time-dependent forces in
input data specifying the loads applied on the members. For the next section.
temperature variation in a member, the input can be T0 and Assume that a linear analysis computer program has been
T¢ = dT/dy, where T0 is the rise in temperature at the cen- used to determine {D*(t0)} and {F*(t0)}, the displacements
troid, T¢ is a temperature gradient, and y is the distance from and the member end forces at the coordinates 1* to 6* shown
the centroidal axis to any fibre. This implies the assumption in Fig. 1a. The modulus of elasticity used in this analysis is
that T varies linearly over the cross-section depth. Appendix Ec(t0), the elasticity modulus of concrete at age t0. The
A explains how to use such commercial programs to enter forces {F*(t0)} can be expressed as
fictitious values of T0 and T¢ to produce any required values
of {Ar}. [9] {F*(t 0)} = {Ar (t 0)} + [ S*(t 0)]{D*(t 0)}
where {Ar(t0)} are the member end forces due to applied
Time-dependent fixed-end forces load on the member when the six nodal displacements are
restrained and [S*(t0)] is the stiffness matrix of the member
Computer programs for the analysis of frames are com- at time t0, any element of this matrix is proportional to
monly based on the displacement method. In the following Ec(t0). The difference {F*(t0)} minus {Ar(t0)} represents the
section it will be explained how a general computer program part of the member end forces caused by the nodal displace-
for the analysis of plane frames can be used to analyze the ments. If these displacements are allowed to occur freely,

© 2001 NRC Canada

Elbadry and Ghali
without restraint, their magnitude would increase in the pe-
riod t1 to t2 by the amount:
[10] hypothetical displacement increments
= {D*(t 0)}[f(t 2 , t 0) - f(t1, t 0)]
On the other hand, if development of this displacement is
to be restrained, member end forces will have to be intro-
duced and their magnitude will have to increase from {0} at
t1 to a final value at t2 given by
[11] { Ar (t 2 , t1)} = -[ S *(t 2 , t1)]{D*(t 0)}[f(t 2 , t 0) - f(t1, t 0)]
where [ S *(t 2 , t1)] is the age-adjusted stiffness matrix of the
member, the elements of this matrix are forces at the coordi-
nates corresponding to unit displacements, with both the
forces and displacements gradually introduced in the period t1
to t2. The ratio between any element of [ S *(t 2 , t1)] to the cor-
responding element of [S*(t0)] is equal to Ec (t 2 , t1) / Ec (t 0).
Thus,
Ec (t 2 , t1) *
[12] [ S *(t 2 , t1)] = [ S (t 0)]
Ec (t 0)
Substitution of eqs. [9] and [12] into eq. [11] gives the
change in member end forces in the period t1 to t2:
[13]
{Ar (t2 , t1)} = - EEc(t2(t, )t1)
c 0
{ }
´ [f(t 2 , t 0) - f(t1, t 0)] F*(t 0) - {Ar (t 0)}
The magnitude of Ec (t 2 , t1) can be determined from eq. [3]
by substituting t0 and t by t1 and t2, respectively.
The fixed end forces {Ar(t0)} due to different types of
forces on prismatic members are available in many refer-
ences (e.g., Ghali and Neville 1997).
Example 1: restraint of displacements at tip
of a cantilever
The cantilever in Fig. 2a is subjected at time t0 to a uni-
formly distributed load q per unit length. At time t1 end B is
made totally fixed (Fig. 2b). Find the changes in member
end forces {Ar(t2, t1)} in the period t1 to t2. Given data:
f(t1, t0) = 0.9; f(t2, t0) = 2.6; c(t2, t1) = 0.8; f(t2, t1) = 2.45.
Ignore the difference between Ec(t0) and Ec(t1).
Although the problem can easily be solved by hand calcu-
lations (see Ghali and Favre 1994), a computer program is
used to show how the computer results can be employed. Ta-
ble 1 shows the output of the program PLANEF (see Ghali
and Neville 1997). The input data to the program include the
member end forces with the nodal displacements prevented
at time t0:
{Ar (t 0)}
= {0, - 0.5ql, - 0.08333ql 2 , 0, - 0.5ql, 0.08333ql 2}
The output includes the member end forces immediately af-
ter load application:
{ F*(t 0)} = {0, - ql, - 0.5ql 2 , 0, 0, 0}
193
Fig. 2. Member considered in Example 1: (a) cantilever loaded
at time t0 and (b) fixity at end B introduced at time t1; changes
in member end forces in the period t1 to later time t2.
One can verify that these are the end forces of a cantilever
(Fig. 2a).
The age-adjusted elasticity modulus (eq. [3]) is
Ec (t 2 , t1) =
Ec (t1)
= 0.3378 Ec (t1) = 0.3378 Ec (t 0)
1 + 0.8(2.45)
The changes in member end forces in the period t1 to t2 due
to the restraint of creep displacements are (eq. [13])
{ Ar (t 2 , t1)} = -0.3378(2.6 - 0.9){F*(t 0) - Ar (t 0)}
= {0, 0.2872ql, 0.2393ql 2 , 0, - 0.2872ql, 0.0478ql 2}
These forces are shown in Fig. 2b.
Computer analysis of time-dependent
forces
The present section explains how a linear computer pro-
gram for plane frames (e.g., PLANEF) can be used for the
analysis of time-dependent changes in displacements, inter-
nal forces, and reactions of a continuous structure composed
of members cast, prestressed, and loaded at different stages.
The analysis gives the changes between time t1 and t2, coin-
ciding with two consecutive events. An event can be load ap-
plication, prestressing, or a change in support conditions by
removal of a temporary support or producing continuity by
cast-in situ joints. The analysis is explained by an example.
The bridge frame in Fig. 3 is composed of precast mem-
bers: beams AB, BC, CD, and DE and piers BF and DG.
The members are erected at age t1, using a temporary sup-
port at C. Shortly after, the structure is made continuous
with casting joints at B, C, and D and post-tensioning, fol-
lowed by removal of the support at C. The analysis de-
scribed below is for the changes in displacements, internal
forces, and reactions between t1 and a later time t2. These
can be calculated by superposition of the results of two anal-
ysis stages.
© 2001 NRC Canada
194 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 28, 2001

Table 1. Output of computer program PLANEF used in solution of Example 1 and in first analysis stage of Examples 2 and 3.

Input data
Number of joints = 2; Number of members = 1; Number of load cases = 1;
Number of joints with prescribed displacements = 1; Elasticity modulus = 1.0
Nodal coordinates
Node x y
1 0.0 0.0
2 1.0 0.0
Element information
Element 1st node 2nd node a I
1 1 2 .10000E–01 .10000E+01
Support conditions
Node Restraint indicators Prescribed displacements
u v 2 u v 2
1 0 0 0 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
Forces applied at the nodes
Load case Node Fx Fy Mz
1 1 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
Member end forces with nodal displacement restrained
Load case Member Ar1 Ar2 Ar3 Ar4 Ar5 Ar6
1 1 .0000E+00 –.5000E+00 –.8333E–01 .0000E+00 –.5000E+00 .8333E–01
Analysis results; load case no. 1
Nodal displacements
Node u v 2
1 .00000E+00 .41668E–07 .10417E–06
2 .00000E+00 .12500E+00 .16667E+00
Forces at the supported nodes
Node Fx Fy Mz
1 .00000E+00 –.10000E+01 –.50000E+00
Member end forces
Member F1* F2* F3* F4* F5* F6*
1 .00000E+00 –.10000E+01 –.50000E+00 .00000E+00 –.11102E–15 .55511E–15

In the first stage, the computer program is used to deter-
mine the immediate displacements {D*(t1)} and forces
{F*(t1)} for individual members. The loads for this stage are
the forces introduced at t1, plus the reaction at the temporary
support applied in a reversed direction. The forces intro-
duced in this analysis include a set of self-equilibrating
forces, representing the effect of prestressing introduced at
t1. The modulus of elasticity used in the analysis is Ec(t1).
In the second stage, determine the changes in member end
forces {Ar(t2, t1)} developed between t1 and t2 if the dis-
placements were artificially restrained during this period.
Similar to eq. [13], one can write (setting t0 = t1)
[14] {Ar (t2 , t1)} = - EcE(t2(t, )t1) f(t2 , t1){F*(t1) - Ar (t1)}
c 1
Assemble {Ar(t2, t1)} for all members to obtain the nodal
forces in global directions required to restrain the time-
dependent displacements. Apply these nodal forces in a re-
versed direction on a continuous frame whose modulus of
elasticity of individual members is the age-adjusted modulus
Ec (t 2 , t1). If the computer program PLANEF is used,
Fig. 3. A continuous bridge frame composed of precast mem-
bers; B, C, and D are cast-in situ joints.
{Ar(t2, t1)} are entered as input; their assemblage and appli-
cation of the nodal forces in reversed direction are done au-
tomatically by the program. The output includes the time-
dependent changes in nodal displacements and member end
forces. If a different computer program is used, see Appen-
dix A2.
If it is required to include the effects of shrinkage or pre-
stress loss, determine the member end forces that would de-
velop as a result of shrinkage and the loss of prestress,
introduced gradually in the period t1 to t2, with the nodal
displacements prevented. The calculated restraining forces
are to be included in the input of analysis in the second
stage. The loss of prestress corresponds to a set of self-

© 2001 NRC Canada

Elbadry and Ghali 195

Table 2. Output of second analysis stage of Examples 2 and 3.

Input data
Number of joints = 2; Number of members = 1; Number of load cases = 1
Number of joints with prescribed displacements = 2; Elasticity modulus = 0.3378
Nodal coordinates and element information
Same as in Table 1
Support conditions
Node Restraint indicators Prescribed displacements
u v 2 u v 2
1 0 0 0 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
2 1 0 1 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
Forces applied at the nodes
Same as in Table 1
Member end forces with nodal displacement restrained
Load case Member Ar1 Ar2 Ar3 Ar4 Ar5 Ar6
1 1 .0000E+00 .2872E+00 .2393E+00 .0000E+00 –.2872E+00 .4786E–01
Example 2: Analysis results, load case no. 1
Nodal displacements
Node u v 2
1 .00000E+00 .17688E–07 .17688E–07
2 .00000E+00 –.17688E–07 –.35377E–01
Forces at the supported nodes
Node Fx Fy Mz
1 .00000E+00 .21550E+00 .21540E+00
2 .00000E+00 –.21550E+00 .00000E+00
Member end forces
Member F1* F2* F3* F4* F5* F6*
1 .00000E+00 .21550E+00 .21540E+00 .00000E+00 –.21550E+00 .00000E+00
Example 3: Analysis results, load case no. 1
Nodal displacements
Node u v 2
1 .00000E+00 .70844E–07 .10627E–06
2 .00000E+00 .70844E–01 .10627E–06
Forces at the supported nodes
Node Fx Fy Mz
1 .00000E+00 .55511E–16 .95700E–01
2 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 –.95700E–01
Member end forces
Member F1* F2* F3* F4* F5* F6*
1 .00000E+00 .55511E–16 .95700E–01 .00000E+00 –.55511E–16 –.95740E–01

equilibrating forces, the same as those for the prestress it-
self, but with reversed sign and smaller magnitude.
Example 2: restraint of deflection at tip of
a cantilever
If in Example 1 a simple support is introduced at time t1
at end B, instead of the totally fixed support, the second
analysis stage will be as shown in Table 2. The second stage
analysis is required here to determine the effect of the
change in nodal displacements in the period t1 to t2 on the
member end forces; this was not required in Example 1,
since there were no nodal displacements in this period. The
support conditions will have the restraint indicators for node
2: {u, v, q} = {1, 0, 1}; u = 1 and q = 1 indicate free transla-
tion in the horizontal direction and free rotation; v = 0 indi-
cates restrained vertical translation. The member end forces
{Ar(t2, t1)} entered as input are determined in Example 1.
The member end forces obtained in the first and second
analysis stages (Tables 1 and 2) are added to give the mem-
ber end forces at time t2:
{ F*(t 2 )}
= {0, - 0.7845ql, - 0.2846ql 2 , 0, - 0.2155ql, 0}

© 2001 NRC Canada

196 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 28, 2001

Fig. 4. The beam of Example 3: (a) two cantilevers loaded at time t0 and made continuous at time t1; (b) fixed end forces {Ar} devel-
oped in the period t1 to t2; (c) deflection and end forces due to application of the restraining forces {Ar} in reversed direction; (d) end
forces at time t2; and (e) moment diagram at time t2.

Example 3: cantilever construction Fig. 5. Structure analyzed in Example 4.

Beam ABC in Fig. 4a is composed of two symmetrical

cantilevers erected at time t0, at which a uniform load q per
unit length comes into effect (representing self-weight). At
time t1 the two halves are made continuous by cast-in situ
joint. Determine the deflection at B and the end forces de-
veloped in member AB in the period t1 to a later time t2.
Also, show the final bending moment diagram at time t2.
The given data are the same as in Example 1.
Because of symmetry, the analysis can be done for half
the structure. Again, the computer program PLANEF is used
in this example, although the analysis is simple enough for
hand calculations (see Ghali and Favre 1994). Between t0 and
and t1 the structure is composed of two separate cantilevers.
The results of Example 1 can be used as the first analysis {DF*(t 2 , t1)} = {0, 0, 0.0957ql 2 , 0, 0, - 0.0957ql 2}
stage required for the present problem (Figs. 2b and 4b). The sum of these forces to the member end forces of the
Table 2 is the computer printout for the second stage of cantilever (Fig. 2b) gives the total member end forces at
analysis. In this analysis, the member end forces {Ar(t2, t1)} time t2 (Fig. 4d). The corresponding bending moment dia-
determined in Example 1 are entered as input data; these gram is shown in Fig. 4e.
represent hypothetical forces that would develop if the nodal Similarly, summing up the deflection at the centre gives
displacements were artificially prevented in the period t1 to
ql 4 ql 4
t2. The conditions at node 2 (end B, Fig. 4c) are changed to D(t 2 ) = (0.1250 + 0.0708) = 0.1958
represent a symmetry state (u = 0, v is free, and q = 0), Ec (t 0)I Ec (t 0)I
where u, v, and q represent horizontal and vertical translation
and rotation at a typical node. The output gives the actual Example 4: cable-stayed roof
changes in deflection at B and in the member end forces in
the period t1 to t2: Again, a simple structure is chosen so that the computer
results can be checked by hand calculation. Consider a rein-
forced concrete cantilever beam AB as shown in Fig. 5. At
0.0708ql 4
DDB(t 2 , t1) = the time of removal of the forms, a steel cable AC is in-
Ec (t 0)I stalled and tensioned to a force P(t0) = 240 kN. Calculate the

© 2001 NRC Canada

Elbadry and Ghali 197

Table 3. Output of first analysis stage of Example 4 (a cantilever) by computer program PLANEF.

Input data
Number of joints = 2; Number of members = 1; Number of load cases = 1
Number of joints with prescribed displacements = 1; Elasticity modulus = 25 x 109
Nodal coordinates
Node x y
1 0.0 0.0
2 10.0 0.0
Element information
Element 1st node 2nd node a I
1 1 2 .10000E+01 .10000E+00
Support conditions
Node Restraint indicators Prescribed displacements
u v 2 u v 2
2 0 0 0 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
Forces applied at the nodes
Load case Node Fx Fy Mz
1 1 .21466E+06 –.10733E+06 .00000E+00
Member end forces with nodal displacement restrained
Load case Member Ar1 Ar2 Ar3 Ar4 Ar5 Ar6
1 1 .0000E+00 –.1250E+06 –.2083E+06 .0000E+00 –.1250E+06 .2083E+06
Analysis results; load case no. 1
Nodal displacements
Node u v 2
1 .85865E–04 –.18108E–02 .47996E–03
2 .85865E–10 .58896E–09 .31646E–10
Forces at the supported nodes
Node Fx Fy Mz
2 –.21466E+06 –.14267E+06 .17669E+06
Member end forces
Member F1* F2* F3* F4* F5* F6*
1 .21466E+06 –.10733E+06 .00000E+00 –.21466E+06 –.14267E+06 .17669E+06

instantaneous deflection at A and the change in deflection at {Ar (t 0)}member1

that point and in the force in the cable between t0 and a later
time t, after the occurrence of creep and shrinkage of con-
crete and relaxation of the steel of the cable. Ignore cracking
and the reinforcement in beam AB. Given data: Ec(t0) =
25 GPa; f(t, t0) = 2; c = 0.8; the free shrinkage of concrete,
e cs = –300 × 10–6; Ds pr = -50 MPa; the cross-sectional
area of AB, abeam = 1.0 m2; the second moment of area,
Ibeam = 0.1 m4; the cross-sectional area of the cable, acable =
250 mm2; Ecable = 200 GPa; weight of AB, q = 25 kN/m.
Once again, program PLANEF is used in the solution of
this problem. The analysis is performed in two stages. In the
first stage the cantilever AB is analyzed for the instanta-
neous effects of its own weight and the force in the cable ap-
plied at time t0. The input to the program includes the forces
{F(t0)} applied at the joints and the member end forces
{Ar(t0)} with the displacements restrained. These are given
by
{F(t 0)}node1 = {P cos a, - P sin a,0}
= {214.7 kN, - 107.33 kN, 0}
= {0, - 0.5ql, - 0.08333ql 2 , 0 , - 0.5ql, 0.08333ql 2}
= {0, - 125 kN, - 208.3 kN × m, 0,
- 125 kN, 208.3 kN × m}
The computer output for this analysis stage is shown in
Table 3 and gives the instantaneous vertical deflection at A
as DA(t0) = v at node 1 = –1.81 mm and the member end
forces immediately after installation of the cable:
{F*(t 0)} member1
= {214.7 kN, - 107.3 kN, 0, - 214.7 kN,
- 142.7 kN, 176.7 kN × m}
In the second analysis stage, the concrete beam is mod-
eled as member 1 and the cable as member 2. The age-
adjusted modulus of elasticity of concrete required for this
analysis stage is (eq. [3])
25
Ec (t, t 0) = = 9.615 GPa
1 + 0.8(2.0)

© 2001 NRC Canada

198 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 28, 2001

Table 4. Output of second analysis stage of Example 4 (cable-stayed cantilever) by computer program PLANEF.

Input data
Number of joints = 3; Number of members = 2; Number of load cases = 1
Number of joints with prescribed displacements = 2; Elasticity modulus = 9.615 x 109
Nodal coordinates
Node x y
1 0.0 0.0
2 10.0 0.0
3 10.0 –5.0
Element information
Element 1st node 2nd node a I
1 1 2 .10000E+01 .10000E+00
2 1 3 .52000E–02 .10000E–06
Support conditions
Node Restraint indicators Prescribed displacements
u v 2 u v 2
2 0 0 0 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
3 0 0 0 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
Forces applied at the nodes
Load case Node Fx Fy Mz
1 1 .00000E+00 .00000E+00 .00000E+00
Member end forces with nodal displacement restrained
Load case Member Ar1 Ar2 Ar3 Ar4 Ar5 Ar6
1 1 –.1652E+06 –.1360E+05 –.1602E+06 .1652E+06 .1360E+05 .2430E+05
1 1 –.2885E+07 .0000E+00 .0000E+00 .2885E+07 .0000E+00 .0000E+00
1 2 .1250E+05 .0000E+00 .0000E+00 –.1250E+05 .0000E+00 .0000E+00
Analysis results; load case no. 1
Nodal displacements
Node u v 2
1 .31494E–02 .21004E–03 .38503E–03
2 .31494E–08 .21352E–08 –.22402E–09
3 .30444E–08 –.60886E–08 –.40668E–09
Forces at the supported nodes
Node Fx Fy Mz
2 .22072E+05 –.11036E+05 .11046E+06
3 –.22072E+05 .11036E+05 .13989E–01
Member end forces
Member F1* F2* F3* F4* F5* F6*
1 –.22072E+05 .11036E+05 –.20612E–01 .22072E+05 –.11036E+05 .11046E+06
2 .24677E+05 .30947E–02 .20612E–01 –.24677E+05 –.30947E–02 .13989E–01

The member end forces required to restrain the nodal dis- The forces required to prevent the nodal displacements of
placements of AB (member 1) due to creep of concrete in member 1 due to shrinkage in the same period are
the period t0 to t are (see eq. [13])

{Ar (t, t 0)}member 1 shrinkage

E (t, t )
{Ar (t, t 0)}member 1 creep = - c 0 f(t, t 0){F*(t 0) - Ar (t 0)} = e cs Ec (t, t 0)a beam {,
1 0, 0, - 1, 0, 0}
Ec (t 0)
= (-300 ´ 10-6)(9615
. ´ 106)(10 1 0, 0, - 1, 0, 0}
. ){,
9615
.
=- (2){214.7 kN, 17.7 kN, 208.3 kN × m, = {-28846 . kN, 0, 0, 2884.6 kN, 0, 0}
25
- 214.7 kN, - 17.7 kN, - 31.6 kN × m}
The relaxation of the steel cable (member 2) is a loss of
= {-165.2 kN, - 13.6 kN, - 160.2 kN × m, 165.2 kN,
tension; thus, it is represented by an axial compressive force
13.6 kN, 24.3 kN × m} and the corresponding member end forces are

© 2001 NRC Canada

Elbadry and Ghali 199

{Ar (t, t 0)}member 2 relaxation Trost, H. 1967. Auswirkungen des Superpotionsprobleme bei
Beton und Spannbeton. Beton- und Stahlbetonbau, 62(10): 203–
= - Ds pr a cable {,
1 0, 0, - 1, 0, 0}
238; 62(11): 261–269.
= - (- 50)(250){,
1 0, 0, - 1, 0, 0} N
= {12.5 kN, 0, 0, - 12.5 kN, 0, 0}
Appendix A1. List of symbols
The computer output for the second analysis stage is
shown in Table 4; it gives the change in vertical deflection at Ar member end forces with displacement restrained
A due to creep, shrinkage, and relaxation as DDA(t, t0) = v at a cross-sectional area
node 1 = 0.21 mm and the change in force in the cable as ar area reduced for shear
DF1*(t, t0) = –24.7 kN (reduction in tension). D* displacement at member local coordinates
Note that the computer program PLANEF used to produce Ec modulus of elasticity of concrete
the outputs in Tables 3 and 4 considers the positive direction F* member end forces at member local coordinates
of end forces as shown by the coordinates 1* to 6* in I moment of inertia
Fig. 1a. The program accounts for shear deformation; but l length
here this deformation is ignored. A very large value (106) is M bending moment
entered for the reduced cross-sectional area, ar, to make the P force
shear deformation negligible. A very small value (10–6) is q load intensity per unit length
entered for I for the cable to represent negligible flexural ri- [S*] member stiffness matrix with respect to local coordi-
gidity. For the cable (member 2), an effective cross-sectional nates
area equal to [ Ecable / Ec (t, t 0)] multiplied by the actual area is T0 temperature rise at the centroid
entered as input. This is so because PLANEF accepts one E T¢ temperature gradient (T¢ = dT/dy)
value for all members. t time
u, v, q nodal displacements at a typical node
Summary and conclusions y distance from centroidal axis to any fibre
a coefficient of thermal expansion
Conventional computer programs, which perform linear D increment or decrement
analysis of framed structures, can be used to account for the e normal strain
time-dependent effects of creep and shrinkage of concrete s normal stress
and relaxation of prestressed steel. This is demonstrated by j creep coefficient
simple examples so that the results can be verified by hand c aging coefficient
calculations.

Acknowledgments Appendix A2. Equivalent temperature

This research is financially supported by grants from the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Can-
ada, which is gratefully acknowledged.
References
Bazant, Z.P. 1972. Prediction of concrete creep effects using age-
adjusted effective modulus method. ACI Journal, 69(4): 212–217.
Elbadry, M.M., and Ghali, A. 1989. Serviceability design of contin-
uous prestressed concrete structures. PCI Journal, 34(1): 54–91.
Elbadry, M.M., and Ghali, A. 1990. User’s manual and computer
program CPF: cracked plane frames in prestressed concrete. Re-
search Report No. CE85-2, Department of Civil Engineering,
The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
Ghali, A., and Favre, R. 1994. Concrete structures: stresses and de-
formations. 2nd ed. E & FN Spon, London, U.K.
Ghali, A., and Neville, A.M. 1997. Structural analysis: a unified clas-
sical and matrix approach. 4th ed. E & FN Spon, London, U.K.
Ketchum, M.A. 1986. Redistribution of stresses in segmentally
erected prestressed concrete bridges. Report No. UCB/SESM-
86/07, Structural Engineering and Structural Mechanics, Univer-
sity of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, Calif.
Shushkewich, K.W. 1986. Time-dependent analysis of segmental
bridges. Computers and Structures, 23(1): 95–118.
Tadros, M.K., Ghali, A., and Dilger, W.H. 1979. Long-term
stresses and deformations of segmental bridges. PCI Journal,
24(4): 66–87.
parameters
The computer analysis of time-dependent forces is done in
two stages. In the second stage the values of member end
forces {Ar} are entered as input data. For each member, {Ar}
represents a set of forces in equilibrium; it will be shown be-
low that fictitious temperature changes can be used as input
data to produce the same member end forces. The fictitious
temperature parameters, to be specified below, can be used
as input to commercial computer programs that do not ac-
cept {Ar} as input.
As an example, consider a plane frame member AB hav-
ing six end forces {Ar} (Fig. A1a). The six forces represent
a system in equilibrium. This is always the case when {Ar}
is produced by creep or shrinkage of concrete or relaxation
of prestressed steel and can be verified in Examples 3 and 4
(Tables 2 and 5). Figure A1b represents a conjugate beam of
the same length and cross section as the beam in Fig. A1a
and subdivided by a mid-length node. The conjugate beam is
subjected to a rise of temperature T0 for its two parts and
temperature gradients T1¢ and T2¢ for parts AC and CB, re-
spectively, where T¢ = dT/dy, with y being the coordinate of
any fibre measured downward from the centroidal axis. It
can be verified that the conjugate beam, with ends A and B
fixed, has the same forces at the ends A and B as the actual
member when

© 2001 NRC Canada

 200 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 28, 2001

Fig. A1. Equivalent temperature parameters: (a) actual member ì T0 ü é1 / a 0 0 ù ì Ar1 ü

ï ¢ï 1 ê ï ï
of a plane frame; (b) conjugate beam subjected to rise of tem-
[A1] íT1 ý = ê 0 l / (6I) -1 / I úú í Ar2 ý
ïT ¢ ï Eca ê 0 5l / (6I) -1 / I ú ï A ï
perature producing the same member end forces as in the actual
member. î 2þ ë û î r3 þ
where Ec is the age-adjusted elasticity modulus and a is an
arbitrary thermal expansion coefficient. The same values of
Ec and a used in eq. [A1] must be entered as input in the
computer analysis. The temperature parameters can also be
expressed in terms of the forces {Ar} at end B instead of end
A, to give the same result.
In the first stage of analysis the subdivision of the mem-
bers into two parts is not necessary. Also, subdivision of the
members in the second stage of analysis is not necessary if
the structure is a plane or a space truss.

© 2001 NRC Canada

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