A dynamic study of structural concrete

Abstract

The properties of prestressed concrete beams under the action of loading similar to that produced in the components of a structural frame during an earthquake have been studied. A Dynamic Loading Unit was designed and built to test three similar pretensioned prestressed concrete beams under transverse reversed cyclic loading. Static load tests were also carried out on two similar beams to provide a comparison. The parameters of particular interest were the stiffness, ductility and mode of failure of the beams and these parameters have been studied and conclusions reached.