Finite element creep analysis of PCRVs and comparison with experimental results

In order to investigate the validity and application of a finite element creep analysis program developed for the design of PCRV, a creep test was carried out on a 1/40 scale model of a PCRV and the results were compared with those from numerical analysis. Based on the rate of flow method, the creep strain of concrete is divided into two components: flow strain (irreversible creep) which is assumed to be a linear function in the logarithmic scale of t, and delayed elastic strain (reversible creep) which is expressed as an exponential function of flow strain. The analysis program is based on the finite element method in which triangular constant strain elements for solids of revolution are used and the time-step analysis function, in the form of the initial strain method, is provided. In the analysis of the PCRV model constant creep Poisson's ratios of 0.17, 0.3 and 0.5 are assumed for the purpose of comparison. The constitutive model based on the rate of flow method satisfactorily modelled the uniaxial creep behaviour of test cylinders and the computed strains simulated the characteristics of the strain histories of the PCRV model fairly well in the qualitative sense. (Auth.)