Limit state assessment of nodal zone capacity in strut-and-tie models
A method based on the lower-bound theorem of limit analysis is presented for the capacity assessment of nodal zones in strut-and-tie models. The idealized geometry of the nodal zones is formed by the intersection of effective widths of the framing struts and ties. The stress distribution is estimated by dividing the nodal zones into constant stress triangles separated by lines of stress discontinuity. The strength adequacy is verified by comparing the biaxial stress field in each triangle with the corresponding failure criteria. The approach has been implemented in a computer-based strut-and-tie tool called CAST (Computer-Aided Strut-and-Tic). An application example is also presented to illustrate the approach.
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