2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Prestressed double-pitched beam

1 New project
Let’s launch IDEA StatiCa and select application Beam.

We create a new project by clicking New. Wizard window is opened to speed the input. We start with a selection of Pre-
fabricated concrete beam, Prestressed type and Single span beam. The saddle beam will be alligned at Bottom surface
to make correct haunch. We continue by Next.

On the next page, set the length of the beam to 16m.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 1/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Now we need to set a code, national annex, cross-section and loads. In this basic example, we will select I cross-section with
haunches from advanced sections and change the dimensions as follows.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 2/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

After the input of variable load, continue to the next page.

There, we need to define the timeline of the beam. Set the dates and cantilevers as seen on following picture. Please note,
that the cantilever length varies through each of construction stages till Final supports. Untick the checkboxes in POST if
there are any. We won´t use combination with post-tensioned cables in this example. After everything is set, click Finish.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 3/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

The following model will appear on your screen.

2 Design
Let´s modify the geometry a little bit to achieve a saddle beam. Go into Members tab and change haunch type to
Symmetrical and adjust its length. Once it is done, add a new cross-section where you will just modify previously defined
height. You should see the same shape as in the picture after all these steps.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 4/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

We will input tendons in next steps. To add them click on Tendon design in the ribbon.

New window is opened and we switch to the tab Tendon layout. We can see X-Y and X-Z planes of the beam, where we will
input the tendons geometry. Let´s start with first row of Pretensioned in line tendons.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 5/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

We leave initial stress at highest possible value recommended by application and jump right into the modification of
geometry. Switch the tab to Pretensioned group and adjust the properties as follows:

To speed up the input of second row, we will use copy function (which works just with “in line” definition not with “on edge”).
Hit the Copy button and set the Offset Z value.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 6/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

The blanketed length is not copied with the geometry, so we don´t need to remove it. If you wish to check all tendons in
cross-section we can switch the view in the ribbon. Once we are satisfied with the layout, we can continue back in Beam
application, so click on Exit button.

Next stop is at the settings of construction stages. Usually, the solution with linear creep would be sufficient, but not in this
case. For you to trust us, we calculated this example with linear creep solution in advance and we can see, that at
prestressing stage we exceed the limit value for quasi-permanent combination with r-sup factor applied.

This situation can be avoided, when we perform the calculations of non-linear creep so the limit now applies only for
characteristic combination. You can see the requirements for this in EC 1992-1-1 chapter 3.1.4 article (4).

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 7/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Another nice feature to show for prefabricated beams is a user-specified concrete strength at the stage of prestressing.
This setting can perform analysis for members younger than 3 days, because we check its value based on tests. We can
also select all stages to be checked.

We need to run TDA calculation now to obtain the results from the model by Calculate button.

After the calculations are performed we can go through the results of reactions, linear deformations and internal forces.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 8/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Next part will deal with actual design and checks of the model. Firstly, we need to set all the checks to be performed and
proper settings for the checks such as exposure classes. In this case, we will uncheck Detailing as we do not wish to check
them in this example.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 9/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Now let´s continue with the reinforcement of the beam. There are reinforcement zones in the beam, which can be modified
(we can also use some templates for them). We will input the reinforcement for the first zone A-A by clicking on its shape´s
picture in the scene.

Reinforcement editor will open and we start with the definition of stirrup in the web. Switch the tab to Stirrups and then click
on New from points.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 10/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

This will run a dialog with modification of the properties of stirrup and selection of the points. Continue with clicking on OK.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 11/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Repeat the steps for second stirrup reinforcing the bottom flange, but this time, untick the checkbox for torsion check. Please,
look the details up in the FAQ section for more info as this is the proper setting for consideration of equivalent thin-walled
section.

We will use these steps for the last time to reinforce top flange.

Now, go to Longitudinal reinforcement tab and start with New on edge. We can not speed up the process by “new on all
edges” as we face haunched cross-section (you can try it and see, that the reinforcement cannot stretch). To see the next
steps, it will be helpful to switch on numbers of Edges. Then adjust the diameter and number of bars as follows:

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 12/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

Let´s repeat it for another edge.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 13/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

We will input the last layer of longitudinal reinforcement on edge number 6, but with bigger cover. This layer will help us with
interaction check as we will redistribute the forces more to longitudinal reinforcement. We won´t be reinforcing the whole
section (we switched off detailing rules for that) to save some time in this tutorial.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 14/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

After clicking OK, you should see zone A-A reinforced on both ends of the beam. We will define the sections for check now at
0,8m and 7,2m (you can draw the internal forces to see, that maximal moment lies slightly to the left and right from midspan
and the cross-section is smaller here).

Now when reinforcement is finished, the last input required are lateral stability parameters. Fill in the following: the width of
the flange in compression, the height in midspan, buckling length for torsion and situation type. The check is available

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 15/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

immediately.

3 Check
To run the checks, just click on Results in the navigator. The first thing we see after calculations is a summary of all checks.
The fastest way to ensure everything is OK is to look at right side of the screen.

The top ribbon allows us to go through the results and you can always see the utilization in the model´s picture. Let´s have a
look at utilization of stress limitation check for concrete.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 16/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

If we wish to see the detailed results in a visualized way, we can export all zones to RCS module by Detailed.

We will land in RCS Section tab, where we can run calculations by All button.

Once you go to results and switch between the tabs you can go through all the checks done for selected section and
extreme.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 17/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

To go back to IDEA StatiCa Beam, just close RCS window.

4 Report
At last, we go to the Report Preview/Print. IDEA StatiCa offers a fully customizable report to print out or save in editable
format.

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 18/19
2/3/2020 Prestressed saddle beam | IDEA StatiCa

We have designed, reinforced and code-checked prestressed double-pitched beam according to Eurocode.

Keywords:

Concrete, prestressing, pre-tensioned, post-tensioned, tendons, ducts, reinforcement, cross-section, haunch, saddle beam,
double-pitched beam, staged section, construction stages, prefabricated beam, beam, templates, concrete grade, exposure
class, specific concrete strength, load, internal forces, load combinations, design, Eurocode, ULS, SLS, code-check, RCS,
capacity N-M-N, moment of resistance, bending, shear, strut optimization, strut angle, torsion, interaction, stress limitation,
crack width, detailing, stiffness, lateral stability, deflection, non-linear deflection, creep, non-linear creep, shrinkage, short-
term effect, long-term effect, rheology, modulus of elasticity, report

Related articles and tutorials:

Code check of saddle beam imported from Advance Design

Why IDEA StatiCa Concrete

Design and assessment of pre tensioned girder with IDEA StatiCa

Moment of resistance of prestressed section

The prestressed concrete roof slab lightened by polystyrene blocks

Composite beam

Internal forces and load cases in TDA

How to set the effective time for analysis of deflection?

https://resources.ideastatica.com/Content/03_Concrete/Tutorials/Prestressed_saddle_beam/Beam2.htm?tocpath=RCS%2FBeam%7CTutorials… 19/19