Design of Concrete Suspension Beam System
Introduction
The high-strength concrete suspension beam system is a type of structural component capable of distributing static and dynamic loads across a set of rigid or flexible elements. These elements provide the main body supporting the weight of a structure, the joints which resist the shear forces and the necessary reinforcement to resist deformation due to any axial and/or torsional or lateral loading.
The use of a suspension beam system in structural analysis and in the construction of buildings and bridges, is of great importance since it ensures a clear distribution between the order of the elements and their respective position, thus leading to a more efficient solution for load transfer.
Concrete Suspension Beam System
The construction of a concrete suspension beam system entails creating an number of prefabricated elements that combine to form a larger structure. An important factor to consider is the kinetic and static forces being applied to the system during operations, each of which should be taken into account when creating the design. These can be divided into two types of loading.
The first of these types is static loading, which is when loads are applied at rest and not intended to change with time. This kind of loading may consist of pressure, impact or static load due to gravity, environmental conditions and wind. The second type of loading, known as dynamic loading, is when loads usually jump, accelerate, stop and turn. These forces would include seismic and seismic-induced loading.
In order for the suspension beam system to perform adequately when applied to the aforementioned load types, reinforcement must be designed and implemented to preserve the integrity and rigidity of the structure. Many different types of reinforcing elements may be used in this respect and the most suitable ones must be chosen to guarantee the structural safety of the system.
Reinforcement can be accomplished using either conventional post-tension members or high-strength steel bars. The latter, referred to as superstructure steel, is another optional reinforcing method, especially in large structures or bridges.
The process of designing such a system should include calculations of applied loads and forces, such as found in the respective codes or standards used. These are used to determine the span length of the suspension beam, its cross-sectional size as well as the number and type of reinforcing elements required.
Forces that should be taken into account include the lateral and axial components which are mainly generated by wind and earthquake loads.
The resistive capacity of the structure should also be determined by taking into account the type of material used. This is done by calculating its ultimate strength and stiffness, as relations of internal forces and displacements.
In conclusion
Exploring the details of a concrete suspension beam system is an essential step in the analysis and design of a structure, as it provides the efficiency and flexibility needed for high-performance engineering. The goal of a suspension beam is to transfer and distribute applied loads in a cost-effective way, while ensuring the safety of the structure.
Moreover, the designing process should take into account the static and dynamic loading conditions which will be implemented. The forces present in a structure must be determined and the characteristics of the materials used evaluated. It is also essential to calculate the resistive capacity of the system and the respective spans that will be needed. All of these measures should be taken into account when designing a concrete suspension beam system.
