Some creep effects in stress analysis with particular reference to concrete pressure vessels

Abstract Description of a general process of stress analysis for materials of linear visco-elastic nature using an integral formulation of the visco-elastic properties is presented. The full solution is accomplished in a step-by-step manner using time intervals during which the stresses are taken to remain constant. The change of the creep strain taking place during such a time interval leads to an incompatibility which is corrected by an elastic solution at the end of each interval. The elastic solution at any stage is accomplished by the use of the finite element method. Computational problems are discussed, and the application of the method to the visco-elastic analysis of concrete pressure vessels is outlined.