NURBS Strands Modeling of Prestressed Concrete Bridges

Abstract

To establish the unified description of strands in prestressed concrete girder bridge, NURBS strands model is presented with introducing Non-Uniform Rational Basic Spline (NURBS). Prestressed strands in design and construction are analyzed, with reasons for selection of NURBS as the strands model. Compared with Fold Line Approximation Model (FLAM), NURBS needs less parameters for preprocessor with higher accuracy in calculation of prestress equivalent load and loss of tendon force. The example testified the NURBS is fit to be as unified description method for strands in all kinds of prestressed structures.