UNIT – III

CE6016 PREFABRICATED STRUCTURES

DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Contents

 Disuniting of structures

 Design of cross section based on efficiency of material used

 Problems in design because of joint flexibility

 Allowance for joint deformation.

Disuniting of Structures
Disuniting of structures
 The solution of problems connected with the transportation and placing of
structures demands as a rule their disunity into smaller members
 One bay frames not exceeding, 40 tonnes in weight may represent an
exception because the problems of their hoisting and placing can be solved
with the aid of modern available hoisting machines and equipment.
 In general there is a trend towards the use of large members because of
reasons like
 bearing moments are solved,
 Instead of carrying two or more smaller elements, carrying a one large
elementslower cost in hoisting, savings in joint cost and speed
construction
Advances in the construction technology also lead to the use of
larger members
Disuniting is performed in places having minimum moment
System of Disuniting

Systems consisting of linear members disunite at joints

Systems for prefabrication of entire rigid frames

Systems consisting of L, T and U shaped or straight

members disuniting at points of minimum moments

Two hinged and three hinged arches

Systems consisting of linear members disunite at
joints
• Advantage:
• Disuniting at joints gives linear member. This means that
a great advantage and facilitates from the view point
manufacture and assembly.

• Disadvantage:
• 1. Joints are at corners i.e. at points of maximum
moment values, so forming the joint is difficult.
• 2. Joints must be over dimensioned to cope with in-situ
concreting. And one alternate solution to replace
moment resistant joints by hinged connection.
 System for prefabricates of entire rigid
frame:
• In this system, to reduce the no of joints and to precast larger numbers
one piece leads to the prefabrication of entire frame.
• Advantage:
• 1. It is ideal for site prefabrication.
• 2. Small number of joints so rapid prefabrication work is possible.
• 3. Suitable for long walls consisting of great number of uniform
frames.
• Dis-advantage
• 1. Production of the frames does not cause any particular trouble
but the hoisting is more difficult and requires careful preparation.
 System consisting of I,T,U of straight members
disunited at points of minimum moment:
• The method of disuniting of structures is by division into different
membranes at points where the moments are thin or smallest. This method is
called as lambda method. Using this method hinge joints are made.
•
• Advantage:
1. Functions are made at points of minimum moments or at points of
contra flexure.
2. Disuniting the main girder in this manner makes the application of
different skylights possible.
•
Two hinged and three hinged arches

 Arch structure can be precast in either vertical or

horizontal positions. In the first case, shuttering
made of timber or concrete is required having the
same curvature s the arch itself.

 The prefabrication of larger arches in the horizontal

position is found to be more economical

 The construction of arch trusses can be properly

carried out in the horizontal position only.
 The members are generally precast and assembled in
statistically determinant three hinged variance and
middle hinge is only eliminated after placing is
finished. The reinforcing bars protruding both sides
are welded together and the joint between the
members is filled in with in-situ concrete.
Design of cross section based
on efficiency of material
used
 Design of cross section based on efficiency of
material used
 The most simple section of precast structure is the
RECTANGULAR SECTION

 Now, this is used for light members to be produced in

smaller units

 I,T,U, and V shaped Solid or Hollow cross section are used

in prefabrication
 Compared to rectangular section, the above sections are
30-50% save in concrete and 5-10% save in steel
Cross Section for precast structures – Beams
& Columns
One of the great advantages of precast reinforced concrete
structures over monolithic ones lies in the possibility of
forming cross section which from the viewpoint of the
theory of strength of materials
The economy of cross section is measured by the form
factor Ф value of which is
Ф = F / F’
F = area of the investigated cross sections
F’ = area of a rectangular cross section with the depth h
width b
For Rectangular cross section Ф = 1
The smaller the value of Ф is more economical in c/s
For I , T , U & V shaped section, Ф <1.

For I profile steel section Ф = 0.31 to 0.33

For prestressed concrete section Ф = 0.45 to .50

 Fretted structures, Trusses and
Virendeel
There is generally no difference between construction between
fretted and solid beams
The reason for different openings in the body of the fretted
beams is merely to obtain savings in the materials and to lessen
the dead load
 Virende
el
• The use of reinforced concrete structures having divided
cross section as have virendeel columns and truss is
becoming increasingly common due to economic and
aesthetic reasons
• The manufacturing of these structures in a horizontal
position requires less material for their shuttering, their
fitted to these str
reinforcement and concreteing is lso fairly simple.
• Other structures like tubes, pipes can be easily
ucure
Joints and problems in
Joints due to Joints
flexibility
 Joints:

• Precast structures may have continuous or hinged

connections subject to providing sufficient rigidity
or resistance to horizontal loads
• If only compressive force are to taken, hinged joints
may be adopted
• If both compressive force and moments are to be
taken, rigid and welded joints may be adopted.
• Load transmission is accomplished by steel
inserted parts together with concrete
 Joint issues:
• Adequate joints are required to transfer forces

• Joint of the core structure and components are strong

enough to transfer forces

• FE modeling is complicated because of variety of joints

• If joints are not well, it leads to leakage

 Requirements of joints

• Joints requires minimum materials and labour force

• The casting of joints should be easily

• It has a capable to transfer the imposed load and moments

• It shall accommodate tolerances in elements

• It enable the structure to absorb sufficient energy during

earthquakes and other accidental loads
 Joint Flexibility

• The joint flexibility means that when disuniting

structures the member is designed as rigid or semi-
rigid in which the columns and beams are connected
together in such a way there is flexibility at the
 Problems in design because of joints
flexibility
General design

Based on architecture

Based on structural analysis

 General design Based on
Architecture
 Modern layout in dimensions and gridlines setting out as this will enable
easy standardization in precast design

 Suitable size of panels position of joints and edge details

 Standardization of sections will ensure the minimizing of panel types and

major design variation as far as possible
 General design Based on
Structural system
 Overall structure framing design and stability at various stages of construction
during each phase of construction should be achieve.

 Selection of structural elements to be precast

 Types of connection design to ensure structural adequacy and practically

insitu execution

 Connection design to allow for panel tolerences, adequate space within joints
to avoid rebar elasticity and congestion
 Major consideration in design of
precast concrete systems
 Load assessments and load paths

 Establishment of suitable structural form or system

 Precast components selection and panelization with stardization

 Joints Considerations while
Designing
 In precast connection design apart from strength requirement, other
consideration such as ease of manufacturing, erection and tolerance for
work efficiency
 In theory all joint connection can be designed with structural adequacy for
its performance needs with precast elements manufacture as per design
 All joints shall also cater for water tightness, durability, fire and aesthetic
conditions
 The fixed end beam connection the stresses and moments due to
shrinkage , creep and temperature drop of the beam must be considered
or the connection proper and for the structure as a whole.
 Joints may be
 Dry Joint
 Wet Joint
• Dry Joint
• The dry joint used for simply placing the two
members on each other and connecting them. It does
not requires cement mortar for casting but also
continuous. It is done by welding or bolting

• Wet Joint
• Wet joint are adequate to bear the forces. It is
done by mortar or in-situ concrete
Type of Precast
joint
Compressive joint

Tensile joint

Shear joint

Flexural and torsion joint

Compressive joint
Using direct bearing as intermediate medium such as mortar

Tensile joint
Use of steel splice connections, welding of cast in steel plates,
lapping, grouting or starter / site laid rebars

Flexural and torsional joint

Moment joint connection can be achieved with force coupling
using splice, bolting, welding, composite joint casting with rebars etc..,