Computing the Refined Compression Field Theory

In recent years, some modifications were introduced in the stress–strain relationship of the steel in order to develop a more efficient shear model for reinforced concrete members. The last contribution in this sense corresponding to the Refined Compression Field Theory (RCFT, 2009); this theory proposed a steel constitutive model that has account the tension stiffening area prescribed by technical codes, what simplifies all the design process. However, under certain design conditions supported by such codes, the RCFT model does not provide a real (non-complex) solution for the steel yield strain when the prescribed tension stiffening area is considered; then the load-strain response cannot be computed. In this technical note, the tension stiffening area is fixed in order to guarantee the application of the embedded steel constitutive model for all the standard design range.