Analytical prediction of nonlinear behaviors of beams post-tensioned by unbonded tendons considering shear deformation and tension stiffening effect

This is a proposal for a nonlinear analytical model that was developed to predict the structural response of post-tensioned beam with unbonded tendon. The structural response includes deflections under the service load before or after cracking, as well as the ultimate load capacity. A comprehensive procedure for the deflection calculation was implemented, considering the additional shear deformation and tension stiffening effect. The shear deformation calculation is based on the Timoshenko beam theory, considering the shear modulus reduction upon cracking. Furthermore, a modification of the tension stiffening model from CEB–FIP Model Code 1990 is proposed to account for the significant strain concentration in the post-yielding region. A fixed-point iterative procedure is introduced in the prediction model to compute the incremental strain in the unbonded tendon. Each iteration brings the estimated strain increase in the tendon closer to the actual value until it is reasonably accurate. Predictive accuracy of the proposed model in both load–deflection relationships and strain rates, as a function of deflections, is successfully validated against experimental beam tests and a nonlinear finite element analysis considering concrete plasticity, respectively.