Learning Forum

[Balaram]

Hi Ansys Community,  I am trying to model a prestressed pre-tensioned concrete girder in ANSYS Mechanical. I am trying to apply pre-tension force as thermal load.  I tried modeling the prestressing strands as line elements, applied a profile, and used the "reinforcement" model type. However this model type does not allow me to apply any load on the strands. I tried "beam" and other model types, and defined the manual contact (bonded) between strands and concrete, but this does not seem to be applying any force in the strand. For another approach, I modeled strands as solid elements but this is not yielding any results either.  If anyone has  worked with prestressed concrete before and could provide me some guidance, it would be of great help.  Thank You.  

[Deepak]

Hi,

Refer to the following discussion on modeling prestress concrete: Modeling of a Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (ansys.com).

You can also refer to this knowledge material: How to create reinforcement for concrete in Mechanical? - Ansys Knowledge

Thanks

Deepak.

[Balaram]

Hi Deepak, 

Thank you for your response. I am using Spaceclaim to create my geometry. Ultimately I will be modeling a bridge. So I want to use line elements for modeling prestressing strands and define them as reinforcement to embed them into the concrete. The problem I am having is that the ANSYS does not allow the load to be applied in the elements modeled/defined as reinforcement. Applying the prestressing force as thermal load is the most common, easier, and effective way. Can you tell me or refer to relevant material to  overcome this issue. 

Thank You, 

Balaram.