Stringer Panel Method: a discrete model to project structural reinforced concrete elements

G. Tarquini L. Sgambi
Structural Engineer, Rome, Italy University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

ABSTRACT: In this work are presented applications for the design of reinforced concrete structures using the Stringer Panel Method (S&PM); a discrete model which divided a structure into elementary subsystem working in tension or compression (stringers) and in membrane shear stress (panels). Stringers are dimensioned for normal forces, panels for shear forces. A simple beam and a squat cantilever is studied, and is shown as the S&PM is able to get the right global and local results in this two antithetical cases.

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Design and models Design is the aim of engineers; they studies reality in all aspects using analysis and intuition. Engineers invents models to get the real behavior or real structures. Continuously models are improved to get better results. Different principles which seems to be contrasting determines the choice of a model or another: - To get a precise valuation of the behavior, - Costs of the analysis proportional at the aim that agrees to achieve. The model must be able to reproduce the real behavior of the structure, however the use do not must be complicated. Into the model, the real structure is simplified and schematized. The fundamental static and dynamic characteristics are put in evidence by a finite number of parameters and the tensional field or the cinematic field are approximately reproduced. The precision of these reproduction depends of the model precision and, in general, if great is the model precision great will be the computational cost of the model. 1.2 Naturally discrete, discrete and continuous models Models can be divided in three principal categories: naturally discrete, discrete and continuous models Reticular systems belongs to the first group as Frame Work, or Strut and Tie. The Stringer Panel Method belongs to the second group. Finally the Finite Element Method belongs to the third group.

Numerically using one of this three type of model is the same thing: you have to be solve a linear system of equations with known coefficients in all cases. In Figure 1 a simple modellation scheme is shown. In general a modellation method can be gather in a continuous models or in a discrete models. In the first case the structure is maintained continuous and the solution is found by series development or other method, in the second case a discretization of the structure is need. The Stringer and Panels method belong at the discrete model, whit the finite element method, strut and tie and other. All the models (FW, S&T, S&PM, FEM) represents a priori discretization of a continuous structure.

Figure 1. Modellation scheme.

2 THE STRINGER PANEL METHOD 2.1 Historical mensions Since the thirties (Wagner) the S&PM has been applied to wing and fuselage elastic analysis and to many diffusion problems like the shear lag in stiffened box girders, the stresses distribution around framed holes and the behavior of the nodal zones in beam column joints. This projectual technique (Stringer-Panel Method - S&PM), is nowadays used to design aeronautical structures (Curtis 1997 and Megson 1999). Its popularity is based on its easy procedures and for the right correlation between reality and models results. The S&PM has been introduced on Reinforced Concrete walls design by Nielsen et al. (1979). Now, the Stringer Panel Method is studied in many European University: at the University of Denmark (Prof. Damkilde and Dr. Nielsen), at the Delft University of Technology (Prof. Blaauwendraad and Prof. Hoogenboom) and at the Milan University of Technology (Prof. Malerba and Prof. Bontempi). In particular, a the Delft University of Technology the S&PM has been implemented into the SpanCad Software. This is a very interactive program able to read directly from AutoCAD using its graphic interface. 2.2 The S&PM applied to the r.c. structures In the aeronautic structures, the presence of stringers and panels is need for the structural required (lightness, great stiffness...) differently from the civil structures. However in the CA/CAP structures the stress field show a natural subdivision in stringers (great concentration of stress) and panels (diffusion stress). In fact one have a great concentration of reinforced steel near the load regions and the supported zones, in other zones (with diffusion stress field) there are a reinforcement meshes. The S&PM is able to define the resistance mechanisms by zones, therefore it is clear the role of the concrete and the steel into the structural resistance. A continue structure is subdivided by panels and stringer. The panels represent the diffusion zone and ca be considered with constant shear stress during the numerical analysis. The axial stress in the stringers can be assumed with a linear variation. This variation is caused, in fact, by the constant shear stress present in the panels close to the stringer. The original resolution technique is deduced from the force method but using several matrix transformations one can reformulate the resolution technique in displacement terms. The dimensioning of the stringer and the panels is executed by the outcomes of the linear elastic analysis. In the original formulation the stringers are designed considering their axial stress while the panels

are designed considering only the shear field. The reinforcement steel dimensioning and the verifies, are executed with the Struct-and-Tie criteria.

Figure 2. From the structure to the stringer panel model.

A double perpendicular reinforcement meshes is need for the presence of the shear stress field, into the panels. Different methods have been proposed for the design of the reinforcement mesh (Nielsen 1984, Gupta 1984, Vecchio e Collins 1986, Fialkow 1990, Hsu 1991). The ratio between the reinforcement stiffness of the two reinforcement meshes characterize the kind of cracking. The cracking can be: a) ductile ductile, b) ductile brittle, c) brittle brittle, d) balanced rupture.

Figure 3. Panel and Stringer.

For the designer by the S&PM the most common procedure is composed by the following steps: 1. The structural predimensioning; 2. The definition of the loads and the loads combinations; 3. The elastic linear analysis of the discretized structure with the valuation of the stress into all elements under all load combination; 4. The dimensioning of the reinforcement mesh and tensile stringer by ductility design criteria using the plastic resource of the steel.

5. non linear analysis of the designed structure; 6. re-design of the reinforcement steel using the non linear analysis outcomes; 7. structural verification; 8. non linear analysis under the most important load combination and determination of the ultimate load. 2.3 Typical applications for the S&PM The S&PM is a natural tool for studying the thin wall structures, as a folded plate covering, concrete tiles, box girders and shells. This is a valid tool for the analysis of the diffusion zone that are present in the design of deep beam or in the anchorage zone of the prestressed concrete beam. In several support zone are present diffusion field, i.e. the Gerber supports, such as deep beam with holes.

3.1 The Stringer In a stringer the tensile forces are supported entirely by the reinforced steel. The Strut-and-Tie Method is used to design the stringer. The compressed stringer is need only the compression stress in the concrete is greater than effective resistance fc* = cfc. In this case is necessary to increase the concrete resistance by an adequate confinement reinforcement (longitudinal reinforcements and stirrups).
f 2 = q = cost F1 A x
l

F3

q N N+dN

dx

Figure 7. Stringer forces: linear variability of axial stress. Figure 4. Box girder and deep beam structure.
3 1 2 l 2 EA 3 6 3 K = N T F 1 N = 2 l l l l 1 3 2 l

(1)

3.4 The Panel

Figure 5. Gerber supports.
A

f3 ,u3

f2 ,u2

f4 ,u4

Figure 6. Beam with a hole.

D

f1 ,u1

3 MATRIX FORMULATION OF THE S&PM

Figure 9. Generic panel.

Are presented now stiffness matrices for stingers and panels. More details on the S&PM implementations can be found in Biondini et al. (1999), Hoogenboom (1998) and Simone & Malerba (2001). The original technique was derived from the force method; through suitable matrix transformations, it can be led back to the displacement method (Przemieniecki 1968).

The rational design of a CA bidimensional element with plane stress field has been studied since the 1940. Many methods find their explanation into the Static Theorem of the Limit Analysis.

1 1 f1 r 1 f 1 2 = G t r r2 f 3 Ap 1 1 r f4 r 1

1 1 r

1 r

r u 1 1 u 2 u 3 r u 4 r2

4 APPLICATIONS (2) Some applications are now discussed. The analysis are executed using the SpanCAD software. 4.1 The project of a simple beam The next step is the design of the one span beam loaded by uniform load. We have assumed one discretization with 8 elements (see Fig. 12). The span is 10 meters, the height is 1 meter, and the uniform load is 50 kN/m. The dimensions of the current are: longitudinal current (bottom and top) 35cm x 7.5cm = 262.5cm2; external transversals current - 10cm x 15cm = 150cm2, internal transversals current -10cm x 10cm = 100 cm2; panels - 100cm x 500cm=50000cm2 thickness - 15cm. Material characteristics: Concrete with Rck=50N/mm2, steel FeB44K fy=400 N/mm2. In the Figure 13 and 14 one shown the outcomes of the analyses in terms of the current force and tensional field into the panel.

In fact, the reinforcement mesh dimensioning has usually executed considering an hypothetic stress distribution in equilibrium with the external load in the respect of the constitutive law. The stress field into the panel can be separated into two contributions: xy

the stress field into the concrete matrix. the stress into the reinforcement mesh.
y xyc yc y sy

xc

x sx

xy

xyc

Figure 11. Panel element a) reinforced concrete; b) concrete matrix; c) reinforcement mesh.

Figure 12. 8 element discretization for the S&P model.

Figure 15. Dimensioning of the reinforcement steel.

Figure 16. Stringer force (elastic linear analysis).

Figure 17. Shear stress in the panels and principal directions (elastic linear analysis).

Again the non linear analysis and re-design, the outcomes are:

Figure 18. Stringer force (non linear analysis).

Figure 19. Shear stress in the panels and principal directions (non linear analysis).

Figure 20. Cracking directions and entity of the crack.

4.2 Progetto di una mensola corta In Figure 23 one show the reinforcement of a squat cantilever designed by traditionally methods. In this paragraph the design of this squat cantilever is reproposed using the S&PM. The material characteristics are: concrete: Rck=50 N/mm2, steel: FeB44K, fy=400 N/mm2. load P=200 kN.

612

Figure 22. Load/Displacement multiplayer.

3 st.6

The load factor at the rupture is about 1.30, this indicate that the rupture occur when the load is 30% grater than the designed load. The maximum displacement in the middle span is 3.8 cm. Naturally, this analysis must be executed with an adequate number of stringer and panel elements, because the behavior of the structures must be reproduced with sufficient accuracy for the design. Moreover one remember that the S&PM has been created in order to study the diffusion zones, a simple supported beam is, of course, a limit problem for this methods.

3 st.6

Figure 23. Mensola corta e relativo schema.

The squat cantilever is discretized by 4 panels (thickness = 30 cm, dimensions = 40 x 40 cm) and 13 stringers (length = 40 cm, area = 135 cm2). As one can see from Figure 24 the pier is discretized too. In this study we have considered the only load on the squat cantilever, because the purpose was his design.

Figure 27. Load/Displacement multiplayer.

Figure 24. Linear analysis: Stringer force (kN), principal stress (Kg/cm2).

By the linear elastic analysis one design the reinforcement steel, therefore a non linear analysis is able to verify the reinforcement and improve the previous design. The final outcome of this process is reported in Figure 25, where the reinforcements are uniformed with the maximum quantity of steel necessary in one of the four panels.

The load factor at the rupture is about 1.25, this indicate that the rupture occur when the load is 30% grater than the designed load. The maximum displacement is 3 mm. Now, is interesting to confront the reinforcement design derived from the Stringer and Panel Method with the same reinforcement quantity derived from traditional Strut-and-Tie methodology of design. Naturally one must considering both concentrated and diffusion reinforcement. While with the traditional methodology are necessary 612 in the tensile zone, in the Stringer and Panel Method the quantity of the concentrated reinforcement one reduced at 68. In opposite the diffusion reinforcement designed by traditional method foreseen 3 stirrups 6 (or 6 #100 mm) while the Stringer Panels Method 8 #50 mm.

Figure 25. Non linear analysis: Reinforcement steel into the squat cantilever, Stringer force (kN), principal stress (Kg/cm2), shear force into the panel (kN/m) and cracking orientation again the non linear analysis

The design with the Stringer and Panels Method provide a quantitative of diffusion steel 4.8 times greater than the same quantitative calculate by the traditional method (in terms of weight). The concentrated reinforcement designed by the traditional method is 2.2 times greater than the same quantity designed by Stringer and Panels Method. The Table 1 summarize this results.
Kind of Analysis S&P Method S&T Concentrate reinforcements (Kg) 1.9 4.2 Diffusion reinforcements (Kg) 3.2 0.9 Total (Kg) 5.1 5.1 Table 1. Reinforcement resultant from S&PM and S&T. Kind of reinforcement

The traditional method, based on Strut-and-Tie, concentrate the reinforcement in tensile zone of the squat cantilever unlike the Stringer-Panels Method that carry at diffusion reinforcement most important. In this case one can used the reinforcement mesh with constant step in both directions X and Y. However, from the Table 1 one note that the total reinforcement designed by Strut-and-Tie is the same of the total reinforcement designed by Stringer-Panels Method. 5 CONCLUSIONS With the Stringer and Panels Method one analyze a structure using a subdivision into stringer (in compression or in tension) and panels (diffusion stress). This numerical method can be considered an optimum tool for analysis and design of civil structure in reinforced concrete or in prestressed reinforced concrete. This tool produce a reinforced design very different respect the traditional method of design. In fact, using the Stringer and Panels Method the reinforcement are very distributed, however the total quantity of steel not change respect a the traditional method of design. This is evident from the second application shown in the 4 paragraph. The Stringer and Panels is a rational method for the design of the concrete structure where the diffusion regions are presents. 6 REFERENCES
Azar, J. 1972. Matrix Structural Analysis. Pergamon Press Blaauwendraad, J. & Hoogenboom, P.C.J. 1996. Stringer Panel Model for Structural Concrete Design, ACI Structural Journal Chen H.C. 1992. A simple quadrilateral shear panel elment, Communications in applied numerical methods. Biondini, F., Bontempi, F., Dolora, E. & Malerba, P.G. 1999. Modellazione di zone diffusive in elementi in c.a. mediante modelli discreti, AICAP 99

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