Analytical Study of Prestressed Composite Beams

Abstract

This paper analyzes the behavior of steel beams prestressed with highstrength steel tendon and compositely connected to a concrete deck. In particular, the deflection and the strains in the steel beam, concrete deck, and tendons are calculated in the positive and negative bending moment regions, over the full range of loading to failure. Three types of composite beams are considered: (1) Conventional composite beam without prestressing tendon; (2) composite beam with tendons anchored at the ends, but not prestressed; and (3) composite beam with tendons prestressed. The load‐deflection and the load‐strain behavior of these beams are compared. The analysis shows that the ultimate and the yield loads can be increased substantially by adding high‐strength tendons to the composite beams and prestressing them.