The thermal response of concrete frame building in Arabic area considering time-dependent properties of concrete

Abstract

The Arabic area is known for its high temperatures especially during the summer period. It affects the structural displacements and stresses in concrete elements. The main objectives of this paper are to study the effects of thermal loads on the response of super-long reinforced concrete frame buildings in the Arabic area and regions with similar temperature variation patterns, accounting for various design aspects considering both methodologies of time dependent properties of concrete as per CEB FIP 90 code and non-time dependent properties as per ACI 224.3R. To achieve these objectives a total of 272 one story reinforced concrete frame buildings are numerically modelled and analyzed using the finite element procedures of ETABS. The models are divided into two different groups. The first group is with columns fixed supports, the second group is with columns hinged supports. Each group is analyzed twice: once with time dependent concrete properties, and another with non-time dependent concrete properties. The study findings are utilized to develop a clear understanding about mentioned variables effects at thermal deformations and columns reactions to aid structural engineers in the thermal design of super-long buildings with similar conditions of this study within time. The horizontal deformations values increase proportionally with the increase of slab length and column height. The horizontal reactions increase proportionally with the increase of slab length and slab thickness values. Fixed columns horizontal reactions are more than horizontal reactions related to hinged columns conditions while column height is inversely proportional with the lateral reaction’s values. Time dependent properties deformations and reactions ratios are around 160% the non-time dependent properties result for all cases. Ignoring this difference imposes defects, additional cracks and damages at the structures and related serviceability conditions for 70 years period.