Some aspects of the limit design of reinforced concrete structures

The paper, by R. Park, was published in Vol. 21, No. 12, pp. 518-21 (December 1966). The inelastic behaviour of reinforced concrete structures at the ultimate load and the application of limit design to reinforced concrete frames and slabs are reviewed. The capacity of reinforced concrete sections for plastic rotation and moment redistribution in reinforced concrete frames is discussed. Current design practice in several countries is quoted. Several features of the application of the yield-line theory for the limit design of concrete slabs are considered, including the yield criteria, methods of solution, minimum weight design, the design of supporting beams, and the effects of membrane action. Il is shown that the recognition of the inelastic behaviour of reinforced concrete structures would lead to more realistic design procedures and in many cases to simpler design methods.