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ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIB - 2012/2013 (module not running this year)

Module 4D8 - Pre-stressed Concrete

Leader:	Dr C J Burgoyne (cjb@eng)
Timing:	Lent Term
Prerequisites:	3D3 and 3D4 useful
Structure:	16 lectures (including examples classes) + coursework
Assessment:	*Material / Format / Timing / Marks* Lecture Syllabus / Written exam (1.5 hours) / Start of Easter Term / 75 % Coursework / Test Report + Design Exercise / End of Lent Term / 25 %

AIMS

To teach the principles of analysis and design of prestressed concrete, the principal way of using concrete for large structures, such as bridges. Basic design principles will be covered, as will more advanced topics such as the behaviour of indeterminate beams and time-dependent effects such as creep and shrinkage.

LECTURE SYLLABUS

Basic Principles (5L)
Introduction, other prestress applications, definitions: Section design, Magnel diagram, statically determinate structures; Limits on stress, practical considerations; Current problems; new horizons, new materials.
Indeterminate beams (3L)
Secondary moments, line of pressure; Concordant Profiles, linear transformations; Design approaches for continuous beams, bridges.
Strength Calculations (3L)
Ultimate strength (simple modifications to RC theory); Shear failure and prevention. Truss analogy for special cases.
Creep and shrinkage (3L)
Loss of prestress, effective modulus method and rate of creep methods; Composite construction and construction sequence effects; Creep followed by load to failure. Effects of temperature.
Bridge Design (2L)
Case studies of bridges.

COURSEWORK

This will consist of two parts: (i) carrying out a test on a prestressed concrete beam, plus a write-up, and (ii) a short design exercise.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of the module students should:

Understand the principles of prestressed concrete, and appreciate why it has important structural advantages;
Be able to design and analyse statically determinate, composite and statically indeterminate prestressed concrete structures;
Be able to predict when simple theories can be used, and when they are insufficient;
Be aware of the potential developments in new materials for prestressed concrete and the reasons for their adoption.

REFERENCES

Please see the Booklist for GroupD Courses for references for this module.

Last updated: August 2011

teaching-office@eng.cam.ac.uk