c fl = t

( 2 )

12

(2.1.13)

Ec

The flexible length cfl may be replaced by an equivalent rigid length cr such that uniform
deformations under an equivalent rigid plate give the same force as the non uniform
deformation under the flexible plate:
cr = cfl 2 /

(2.1.14)

The factor represents the ratio between hef and cfl. The value of h ef can be expressed as ar.
From Tab. 2.1 can be read that factor for practical T-stubs is about equal to 1,4. The width
ar is equal to tw + 2 cr, where tw is equal to the web thickness of the T-stub. As a practical
assumption it is now assumed that tw equals to 0,5 cr which leads to
h ef = 1,4 (0,5 + 2) c r = 1,4 2,5 c fl 2 / = 2,2 c fl

(2.1.15)

hence = 2,2
For practical joints can be estimated by Ec 30 000 N / mm2 and E 210 000 N / mm2, which
leads to

c fl = t

( 2 )
12

E
Ec

( 2 )
12

2 ,2

210 000
30 0 0 0

1 ,98 .

(2.1.16)

or
cr = 1,26 t 1,25 t ,

(2.1.17)

which gives for the effective width calculated based on elastic deformation
(2.1.18)

a eq.e l = t w + 2 , 5 t

The influence of the finite block size compared to the infinite half space can be neglected in
practical cases. For example the equivalent width ar of the equivalent rigid plate is about tw +
2 cr. In case tw is 0,5 cr and cr = 1,25 t the width is ar = 3,1 t. That means, peak stresses are
even in the elastic stage spread over a very small area.
In general, a concrete block has dimensions at least equal to the column with and column
depth. Furthermore it is not unusual that the block height is at least half of the column depth.
It means, that stresses under the flange of a T-stub, which represents for instance a plate under
a column flange, are spread over a relative big area compared to ar = 3,1 t. If stresses are
spread, the strains will be low where stresses are low and therefore these strains will not
contribute significantly to the deformations of the concrete just under the plate. Therefore, for
2.8