Generalised tension-stiffening relationship conforming to Chinese Design Code GB 50010-2010

Abstract

A generalised stress-strain tension-stiffening relationship conforming to the Chinese Code for Design of Concrete Structures GB 50010-2010 is proposed. Based on the provisions in GB 50010-2010 for rigidity and curvature calculations of reinforced concrete flexural members, tension-stiffening relationships were derived from moment-curvature relations by means of the inverse technique for deformation analysis. A parameterized stress block for tension-stiffening was suggested. The proposed tension-stiffening model was applied to nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete beams. Good agreement between the analysis results based on the proposed model and those based on the codified formulas in GB 50010-2010 was achieved. The proposed model will be able to serve as a design aid for serviceability evaluation of concrete beams in general.