Torsional Analysis for Prestressed Concrete Multiple Cell Box

Abstract

The softened truss model theory applied to a prestressed concrete multiple cell box is developed in this study. In this theory, the concrete torsional problem is solved by combining equilibrium and compatibility conditions and constitutive laws of materials. Until now the theory has been applied only to the case of pure torsion with a single cell section. An algorithm is presented to deal with the torsional problem for reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete-box girder bridge superstructures with multiple cell sections. A computer program based on the softened truss model theory is developed, and corresponding results are compared with previous theoretical and experimental work for single cell cases.