Moment capacity is computed using a non-linear strain-compatibility methodology. Non-linear material models are used for concrete materials, prestressing strands, and mild reinforcement.

A non linear approach is used in lieu of the AASHTO and PCI approaches because the research done in Reference 1 (below) has shown that for T-beams with different concrete strengths in the flange and web, the traditional equivalent rectangular concrete compressive stress distribution does not provide a reliable estimate of flexural strength.

Theory

The basic theory and assumptions for the non-linear analysis are:

The strength design of flexural members is based on satisfaction of applicable conditions of equilibrium and compatibility of strains.
Strain in the reinforcement and concrete is assumed to be directly proportional to the distance from the neutral axis.
The maximum useable strain at the extreme concrete compression fiber is assumed to be 0.003.
For positive moment analysis; the effects of non-prestressed (mild steel) reinforcement are included in the analysis at the user's option. The area of girder rebar is adjusted for lack of development. Deck rebar is ignored
For negative moment analysis; the effects of non-prestressed (mild steel) Deck reinforcement are included in the analysis. Rebar in the girder is included at the user's option
The tensile strength of concrete is neglected.
The non-linear concrete stress-strain relationship is taken from Reference 2.
The material model of stress-strain behavior for low relaxation and stress relieved prestressing strands utilizes the "power formula" taken from the PCI Bridge Design Manual.
The distance c from the fiber of maximum strain to the neutral axis is measured in a direction perpendicular to that axis.

NOTE: Mild reinforcement is only used in the capacity analysis if permitted by the Project Criteria. For bridge systems without a cast in place deck or overlay, the mild reinforcement in the girder is used in the negative moment capacity analysis, regardless of the settings in the Project Criteria.

Solution Method

The non-linear compressive behavior of prestressed beam sections is modelled by slicing the compression area of the section into horizontal strips. Strains are computed at the midpoint of each strip and then stresses are computed using the concrete material model. The moment contribution by each strip is then determined by multiplying the stress in the strip by the strip area to get the force and then multiplying this force by the distance from the strip's geometrical centroid to the neutral axis. First 30 strips are used. If the program cannot converge on a solution, then 50 and 100 strips are used. The strips are re-generated each time the neutral axis location is changed.

Ultimate moment capacity is computed relative to the condition of zero strain in the non-prestressed materials in the cross section. The following flow chart illustrates the high level procedure for this method:

The figure below shows the equilibrium state from which the nominal moment capacity is obtained:

The strain e₂ is the strain in the prestressing steel at the effective level of prestress. The strain e₁ is the strain associated with the flexure of the cross section. The resultant compressive force, C, acts at the centroid of the compression region. The tensile force T, acts at the location of the resultant of the strand forces.

NOTE: d_e is the "effective depth from the extreme compression fiber to the centroid of the tensile force in the tensile reinforcement". Strands that are further away from the extreme compression fibers are strained more that those strands that are closer. This results in the centroid of the resultant tensile force being lower in the cross section than the geometric centroid of the prestressing strands.

Cross Section Geometry and Materials Used for Calculating Capacities

The cross sectional geometry used for calculating the moment capacity of a girder is the same as that used for calculating section properties (Refer to Section Properties ). Mild steel longitudinal reinforcement in the girder and in the deck is not considered in the capacity calculation.

Strain in the Prestressing Steel

The initial strain in the prestressing steel, e₂, is computed as f_pe/E_ps.

Stress in the Prestressing Strand

As mentioned above, the stress/strain material model for the prestressing steel is computed using the "power method" where e_ps = e₁ + e₂. The equation, and a graph, for grade 270 steel are given below.

Stress in the Mild Reinforcement

The stress/strain material model for mild reinforcement is the traditional elastic-perfectly plastic model.

NOTE: mild reinforcement is only used in the capacity analysis if permitted by the Project Criteria. NOTE: for bridge systems without a cast in place deck or overlay, the mild reinforcement in the girder is used in the negative moment capacity analysis, regardless of the settings in the Project Criteria.

Stress in the Concrete

The stress in the concrete, f'c, is determined from the formulas shown below (see Reference 2):

Maximum Reinforcement Limits

NOTE: The information in this section is only applicable to PGSuper projects with the Design Criteria based on the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 3rd Edition with 2005 interim provisions and earlier.

The maximum amount of reinforcement is limited such that c/d_e <= 0.42. When this ratio is exceeded, the maximum design moment capacity is computed in accordance with LRFD C5.7.3.3.1.

There is a sudden drop in usable capacity when c/d_e transitions from just below 0.42 to just over 0.42. Furthermore, the equations in LRFD C5.7.3.3.1 do not adequately account for the different concrete materials in the deck and girder. WSDOT uses a variable capacity reduction factor method for dealing with this situation.

If the design criteria in this program is set to use the WSDOT BDM method of computing the capacity of over-reinforced sections, the nominal capacity will be computed using the strain compatibility analysis as described above. Then a reduced capacity reduction factor will be computed by

Concrete Strength at Continuity Diaphragms

LRFD 5.12.3.3.10 (pre-2017: 5.14.1.4.10) allows the moment capacity of continuity diaphragms to be based on the strength of the concrete in the precast girders. The reason for this is explained in C5.12.3.3.10. The use of the increased concrete strength is permitted because the continuity diaphragm concrete between girder ends is confined by the girder and the continuity diaphragm extends beyond the girders.

The girder concrete strength is used in the computation of moment capacity at continity diaphragms when the width of the diaphragm exceeds the distance between the ends of girders on either side of the pier by 5% and when girders on both sides of the pier are essentially aligned. The girders are considered to be essentially aligned when the distance between the points where the centerline of the girder, projected, intersects the centerline pier is less than 5% of the bottom flange width.

References

Stephen J. Seguirant P.E. Richard Brice P.E, Bijan Khaleghi, Ph.D., P.E., "FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF REINFORCED AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE T-BEAMS", PCI Journal Jan/Feb 2005.
Collins, M.P., and Mitchell, D., Prestressed Concrete Structures, Prentice-Hall, Inc., A Division of Simon & Schuster, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 07632, 1991, pp. 61-65.