Nonlinear finite element modeling of post tensioned cantilever concrete beams using different tendon profiles

Prestressing is widely used technic all over the world for constructions of buildings, bridges, towers, offshore structures etc. due to its efficiency and economy for achieving requirements the long span with small depth. It is used for flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete structures for improving cracking loads and decreasing deflections due to service loads. There are two methods for prestressing (pre-tensioning and post-tensioning). In this thesis, a three-Dimensional (3-D) nonlinear Finite Element (FE) method is used to determine the behavior of Post-Tensioned (PT) cantilever concrete beams with different tendon profiles. Numerical analyses ANSYS package program is used for analysis of beams. The results from FE analysis is verified by experimental reference test result and good agreement is achieved. To investigate the effect of different tendon profiles on the flexural behavior of Bonded Post Tensioned (BPT) cantilever reinforced concrete beams, six models are chosen. These models are without tendons, two tendons at the bottom, middle, top, parabolic tendons with one draped point and two draped points. Failure loads, deflections, and load versus deflection relationships for all models are examined and it is seen that the beam with one draped tendon profile shows the highest performance.