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Ultimate Strength of RC Cooling Tower Shells Subjected to Temperature and Wind Loads

1999; Volume: 19; Linguagem: Inglês

2287-934X

Chang‐Koon Choi, Hyck-Chun Noh,

Solar Energy Systems and Technologies

In this paper, the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete cooling tower shell is presented. In the analysis the geometrical and material nonlinearities are included. The smeared rotating crack model, which can handle the rotation of the crack direction, is adopted to investigate the crack propagation in the concrete shell. The biaxial stress state, which is the main stress state in the shell structure, is represented by the improved work-hardening plasticity concrete model. With this model the ductility increase effect in the biaxial stress state can be depicted appropriately to some extent. The deformation characteristics, stress field, occurrence and propagation of cracks in concrete and the steel yield patterns are investigated. The ultimate strength of the cooling tower shell under consideration is given, and is revealed to be affected by the inclusion of the large displacement effect, thermal loads and the refinement of the element meshes.