Strength Design of Shell Membrane Reinforcement

Abstract

Procedures are presented for the safe design of shell membrane reinforcement and for the determination for a given shell of the safe load capacity as controlled by membrane reinforcement. The procedures are based on the strength design method of the ACI 318‐77 Building Code. Design strengths of the reinforced concrete membrane relative to tension and shear are explicitly identified. Membrane design and capacity procedures are confirmed by comparison with test results. Non‐realistic results for design membrane reinforcement are shown to occur when shear strength is not explicitly included in the membrane design strength.