Structural analysis of high-rise reinforced concrete building structures during construction

This paper presents a three-dimensional finite element method based structural analysis model for structural analysis of reinforced concrete high-rise buildings during construction. The model considered the time-dependency of the structural configuration and material properties as well as the effect of the construction rate and shoring stiffness. Uniaxial compression tests of young concrete within 28 days of age were conducted to establish the time-dependent compressive stress-strain relationship of concrete, which was then used as input parameters to the structural analysis model. In-situ tests of a RC high-rise building were conducted, the results of which were used for model verification. Good agreement between the test results and model predictions was achieved. At the end, a parametric study was conducted using the verified model. The results indicated that the floor position and construction rate had significant effect on the shore load, whereas the influence of the shore removal timing and shore stiffness have much smaller. It was also found that the floors are more prone to cracking during construction than is ultimate bending failure.