STRUT AND TIE MODELING

By
Vemuri Abhignya
APPROACH

What

Why

When

How
What is STM?
Its a lower-bound design method.

It follows St. Venant's principle.

A complex structural member is simplified to an appropriate

truss model.

STM has been first introduced in

the new AASHTO LRFD Specifications (1994)
Lower Bound Theorem of
Plasticity

Satisfies equilibrium

Does not violate yield

criteria at any point.

Reinforcement yields before

concrete crushes.
St. Venant's principle

From a load or geometric discontinuity a linear distribution of stress can be

assumed at about one member depth (distance between the extreme
compression fiber and the primary longitudinal reinforcement).
How does it work?
"Any loaded structure can be simplified into B-region and D-region
using St. Venant's principle."

B-Region D-Region

Beam region Discontinuity region

or or
Bernoulli region disturbed region

Flexural behavior
Simple calculation Needs effort like
for Flexural Finite Element
behavior Analysis etc.,

Occurs at
Load or
N.A Geometric
Discontinuity or
both
Why STM?
• Why isn’t general approach of
analysis or design not valid?
• What makes it special?

Sectional
design
methodologies
based on
Plane sections traditional
remain plane is beam theory
not valid for D- are not valid
Within the D- regions
region strain
distribution is
nonlinear
When to use STM ?
 For shear critical structures

 For D-regions in concrete structures (local STM models) or for entire structure
(Global STM models)

 However it must be kept in mind that more than 1 model can be developed and
the choice of best model is to the discretion of engineer.
Salient features of STM:
Strut (Concrete):
Compression member-to resist moment and to transfer to the support.
Denoted by dashed lines.
Tie (Reinforcement):
Tension member.
Denoted by solid lines.
Node (Concrete):
Connection point-the locations at which struts and ties converge.
Things to be taken care of:
• Equilibrium must be maintained.
• Neglect tension in concrete.
• Forces in struts and ties are uniaxial.
• Apply external forces at nodes.
• Treat pre-stressing as a load.
Feasible Inclined Angle Ɵ:
• Swiss Code: 0.5 ≤ Cot Ɵ ≤ 2.0 (Ɵ =26° to 64°)
• European Code: 3/5 ≤ Cot Ɵ ≤ 5/3 (Ɵ =31° to 59°)
• ACI 2002: Ɵmin =25°; (25° ≤ Ɵrecom ≤ 65°)
• If small Ɵ is assumed in the truss model, the compression strength of the
inclined strut is decreased.
How to develop STM model?
• Elastic Analysis based on Stress Trajectories
• Load Path Approach
• Standard Model
Elastic Analysis Approach Procedure:
1. Isolate D-regions
2. Complete the internal stresses on the boundaries of the element
3. Subdivide the boundary and compute the force resultants on each sub- length
4. Draw a truss to transmit the forces from boundary to boundary of the D- region
5. Check the stresses in the individual members in the truss
**Develop an STM with struts parallel to the orientation of initial cracking

Eccentric concentrated load on

a long member

Deep beam
A good Model is more closely approaches to the elastic stress trajectories
A poor model requires large deformation before the tie can yield; violate the
rule that concrete has a limited capacity to sustain plastic deformation
 STM for a pilecap

MIDAS model STAAD model

STM for diaphragm
How to design using Delineate B-region
STM: from D-region

Design B-region using

conventional methods

Determine the boundary

conditions of the D-region

Sketch the flow of forces through D-region.

Develop STM for D-regions.

 Calculate strut and tie forces.

Select steel required and decide its

location.

Yes No
Steel fits in assumed Change location of ties and modify STM
STM geometry

Check stress levels in struts and nodes

Tensile forces must not exceed the factored tie capacities.
Compressive forces in the concrete must not exceed the factored concrete strengths.

Yes No
Stress levels OK? Modify STM by changing tie locations or by increasing
geometry

Detail steel for adequate anchorage

Applications of STM:
Can be used at
1. Short cantilever.
2. Beam-column open joints.
3. Pile caps.
4. Pier and diaphragm joints.
5. Concentrated load on a bearing wall.
6. Brackets.
7. Corbels.
STM in Hyderabad Metro Project:

STM method of design was used only for pile-caps with no. of piles less than
or equal to five.
Methodology:
1. Find out forces at the level of pilecap.
2. Calculate forces on each pile.
3. Calculate the forces in each strut and tie by resolving the forces in piles
using strut angle.
4. Compare the stress in strut with 0.446fck.
5. Required amount of steel is calculated and detailed accordingly.
6. No need to check for one way shear.
IRC 21 about STM:
1. Minimum thickness of pilecap is 0.5 times the spacing of the pile.
2. Only the reinforcement within 1.5 times the pile diameter from the center of a
pile shall constitute a tension member.
3. 80% of total reinforcement shall be concentrated in strips linking pile heads
and the remaining (20%) is to be uniformly distributed throughout the
pilecap.
4. No check for shear is required.
5. Minimum tensile steel requirement is 0.2%bd.
Conclusions:
• STM method for pile caps will result in more flexural reinforcement than
what one would have obtained by using beam theory.
• However, no shear reinforcement will be required.
• STM method requires reinforcement to be distributed in bands.
• Nominal reinforcement is required to be provided in other areas for
serviceability considerations.
• STM is a very effective and useful tool for enabling consistent detailing.
THANK YOU