Infrastructure Engineering - Theses
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ItemDuctility of one-way slabs constructed with class L mesh, Grade 500 steel, under support settlement( 2005)This study investigates the impact of new class L Grade 500 Australian steel on the behaviour of suspended reinforced concrete slabs. An experimental program consisting of two one-way full-scale slabs constructed with class L steel was carried out. The key focus of the test program was to examine the response of slabs under imposed support settlements, which could occur for various reasons in the life of a structure. The experimental results were compared with the numerical results obtained by using the computer software prepared by Dr. Rebecca Gravina at The University of Adelaide, SA. Two continuous one-way slabs, with spans more than 4 m and 5 m respectively, constructed with class L steel were tested under imposed support settlement. A typical value of support settlement was used to raise the intermediate support of one test slab and to lower the intermediate support of the other. The results recorded using various techniques were used to establish the load-deflection curves, moment-rotation curves, degree of moment redistribution, failure loads and crack patterns at different load stages during the tests. A comparison of the experimental results with the numerical study carried out by Dr. Rebecca Gravina using software developed in her PhD studies showed a good agreement between the two results. This study showed that the test slabs were able to resist a load higher than the design load, even when subjected to support settlements of a magnitude expected in practice. Also the test slabs developed significant cracking in the spans as well as over the intermediate support regions before failure. The load deflection curves showed little sign of ductility. Moreover, the failure in each case was in a catastrophic manner by fracture of steel in the negative moment region, with no sign of compressive concrete crushing. This study has provided a detailed experimental investigation about the behaviour of class L steel under support settlement effects. However, it is limited to one-way slabs and has used reinforcement provided one steel manufacturer. It can be further extended to two-way slabs and also to class N steel for comparison with class L behaviour.