Longitudinally Restrained Reinforced Concrete Beams

The behavior of beams restrained at the ends against longitudinal displacements has been studied analytically to provide basic knowledge of the parameters that influence the behavior of such beams and to provide insight into the behavior of a similarly restrained slab. A method of analysis was developed which provided a reliable solution to the behavior of the restrained beam. The information obtained from the computer solution on the geometry of deformation and the strains, stresses and forces for the restrained beam permitted a careful analysis of the influence of various parameters on behavior. The effects of stiffness and eccentricity of the end restraints, steel reinforcement and midspan camber were investigated in detail for a wide range in slenderness of the beam. The results of this analysis were used to develop a simple approximate method to determine the load carrying capacity of the restrained beam.