The paper covers numerical analysis of an experiment with five T-beams that are loaded to failure. The beams are designed to have the same ultimate bearing capacity with different ratios of prestressed to classic reinforcement. A detailed overview of the experiment is shown with exact section dimensions, as well as exact position and ratio of prestressed to classic steel. As a result of the experiment, force-displacement diagrams for each beam are presented and analyzed. Numerical model of the beams, reinforced in accordance with the experiment, is also shown. Two models for materials are used to analyze the beams: design model to check the design failure force and a new material model with concrete tension to simulate the actual behavior of the beams. All beams are gradually loaded to numerical failure by incrementally increasing the load that simulates press load. At the end, an analysis and comparison between experimental and numerical results is conducted to determine if the numerical model is a good representation of actual beam behavior.

The article presents overview of selected long-term effects in civil-engineering structures. Those effects are usually neglected in standard engineering practice, but in some cases can be very important for mechanical resistance and safety of the structures. Main aspects of these phenomena are discussed, with three illustrative examples which accentuated why is important to take them into account.

No abstract

Studenčica bridge is located at Donji Studenci, to the southwest of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge is a great feat of engineering. It is built at a height of 88 m above the valley and is 555 m long, with main spans of 120 m. Before the bridge was opened for traffic, it was subjected to a series of tests to verify whether the construction satisfied the criteria regulated by law. Static and dynamic tests were conducted to confirm the safety of the bridge. Before the tests commenced, a numerical model of the bridge was developed and calculated by using a computer program (TOWER), and the calculation results were later compared with the measured values. The static tests comprised measurement of vertical deformation and stress in the construction, and the dynamic test involved measurement of the oscillation frequencies of the bridge. The results were analyzed to check whether the bridge performs as expected and whether it can be opened for traffic.

No abstract