Deep beam in a sewage sludge incineration plant
Challenge:
As planning progressed, additional core drilling was required in a wall-like beam. To supplement the main structural analysis, the wall-like beam was re-analysed to take account of the changes.
An FEM analysis was carried out using the IDEA StatiCa Detail software to assess the structural behaviour of the core drill holes and their impact on the stability of the deep beam.
To investigate the load-bearing behaviour of the beam with regard to the discontinuity zones, a load-bearing capacity analysis was carried out using the finite element method (FEM) or the FE-based stress field analysis method (CSFM), based on non-linear material behaviour.
A non-linear calculation also requires the specification of reinforcing steel.
Concrete stresses in the SLS:
The results of the finite element analysis showed a local exceedance of concrete stresses in the SLS for a 100 mm core drill hole. As this is a local stress peak and there are sufficiently underutilised areas in the surrounding region, the stresses can be redistributed through plasticisation of the concrete. Furthermore, there is sufficient undamaged reinforcing steel in the surrounding area.
Conclusion:
The CSFM calculation using IDEA StatiCa Detail demonstrated that the load distribution across the new core holes is ensured by the reinforcement selected in the main structural analysis.
