02_06-512-Hassan 15/10/07 10:27 am Page 475

Finite Element Study of Shear Behavior

of Spandrel Ledges and Comparison
with PCI Shear Design Provisions

Tarek K. Hassan*
Structural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

(Received: 31 October 2006; Received revised form: 4 May 2007; Accepted: 20 June 2007)

Abstract: Punching shear failure of spandrel ledges has been observed by many
researchers and heightened concerns have been raised questioning the safety level of
the PCI shear design provisions for beam ledges. This paper presents non-linear finite
element analyses conducted to model the behavior of prestressed L-shaped spandrel
beams. Special emphasis was given to the behavior of the ledge at the end regions of
the spandrel, where punching shear controls the design. The accuracy of the finite
element model is demonstrated by comparing the predicted behavior to the results of
one major test by another researcher. The influence of different parameters included
in the PCI shear design provisions for beam ledges is discussed. The analysis is
extended to illustrate the effect of other parameters including the prestressing level,
hanger reinforcement and the amount of debonded strands at the end regions of the
spandrel beam. Results of the analyses showed that the PCI shear design provisions for
spandrel ledges are dangerously unconservative. The provisions do not account for key
parameters, which affect the punching shear behavior.

Key words: finite element analysis, ledges, punching shear, prestressed concrete.

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Precast concrete spandrels are used in a variety of
building types and configurations. The most common
application is the simple span ledger-type beam,
typically used to support prestressed deck components
in parking garages. A typical section illustrating
common dimensions of spandrel beams is shown in
Figure 1. The end connection commonly consists of a
bearing to provide vertical support and a pair of lateral
connections to provide torsion resisting couple as
shown in Figure 1. Industry practice and published
procedures vary widely with respect to several
fundamental aspects of the design of these beams. The
eccentrically applied loading on the beam ledge causes
not only vertical deflections of the spandrel, but also
lateral displacements as well as rotation. Such a
behavior complicates the analysis and design of these
beams. Simplified design provisions for spandrel beams
are provided in details in the PCI Design Handbook
(2004). Nevertheless, a considerable number of parking
structures are currently experiencing various types of
problems and distress with spandrel beams. Heightened
concerns have been recently raised by the
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute questioning the
behavior of spandrel beams and the safety level
provided by code provisions.
A general procedure for shear/torsion design of
prestressed concrete beams including L-shaped

*Corresponding author. Email address: tarek_k_hassan@yahoo.com; Fax: +1-202-291-6004; Tel: +1-202-734-0557.

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Finite Element Study of Shear Behavior of Spandrel Ledges and Comparison with PCI Shear Design Provisions
b ≈9
al
ypic
bea m (T
n drel
Spa
T e e be 200–14
ble
Dou stems
t w e en
h be
cing
(Spa
lpp
hl bt
de
Figure 1. Typical dimensions of spandrel beams
spandrels was originally developed by Zia and McGee
(1974). The current PCI procedures include a modified
version of the Zia and McGee approach. A further
refinement of these models was subsequently developed
by Zia and Hsu (1978, 2004). The concrete contribution
at ultimate stage was calibrated using 394 tests and the
proposed procedures were used for many years for the
shear/torsion design of spandrel beams. Closed stirrups
were recommended to resist torsion/shear stresses in the
beams. A study by Raths (1984) highlighted many
aspects of the design of spandrel beams. It was
determined that lack of torsional equilibrium is the main
problem in these types of beams. A design method was
provided to help combat this problem. Klein (1986)
investigated the behavior and design of precast
prestressed concrete spandrel beams. The study utilized
both finite element modeling and laboratory testing of
full-scale L-shaped spandrel beams. Due to the
complexity of the behavior of spandrel beams under
combined bending, shear and torsion, the analysis was
limited to the linear elastic behavior of the beams prior
to cracking. The study showed that the end regions of
the beams were more susceptible to failure compared to
directly loaded beams. Failure of the tested beams was
either due to separation of the ledge from the beam web
476
Lateral connections
(TYP.)
m)
–15
span
m)
ams 00 m
≈1
Bearing
pads
Concrete column
or punching shear of the ledge. Lucier et al. (2007)
presented results of full-scale testing of four precast,
L-shaped, prestressed concrete spandrel beams. None of
the four beams were reinforced with closed web
reinforcement. Different arrangements of longitudinal
bars, welded wire fabric and L-shaped bars were
designed to resist the shear and torsion induced by
eccentric loading on the ledge. The study demonstrated
the potential benefits of eliminating closed web
reinforcement from precast slender spandrel beams.
Recently, Hassan et al. (2007) presented results of non-
linear finite element analyses conducted to model the
shear/torsion behavior of prestressed, L-shaped spandrel
beams constructed with open web reinforcement.
Results from the analysis showed that for long-span,
compact spandrels, open web reinforcement can be used
effectively throughout the beam. However, the finite
element analysis was limited to predict flexural failure
due to crushing of the concrete at mid-span or
compression-shear failure at the end regions of the
beams.
While several researchers (Lucier et al. 2007; Hassan
et al. 2007) have focused on the shear/torsion capacity
of prestressed L-shaped spandrel beams, limited
research is available concerning the punching shear
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Tarek K. Hassan
A Plane of symmetry
1836 150
No.12M@300 mm (TYP.)
8 No.12M@200mm 9 No.10M@300mm
4236.5 mm
All dimensions are in mm A
Elevation of the spandrel beam
Figure 2. Reinforcement details
behavior of spandrel ledges. Based on very limited full-
scale laboratory testing, it has been reported (Raths
1984; Klein 1986) that the PCI punching shear design
provisions might be overestimating the punching shear
capacity of spandrel beam ledges. However, detailed
analysis of spandrel ledges has not been investigated.
This paper presents the results of a non-linear finite
element analysis conducted to model the punching
shear behavior of slender L-shaped spandrel beams,
typically used in parking structures. The finite element
model was calibrated using experimental results to
demonstrate the capability of the finite element program
to describe the observed experimental behavior up to
failure. The influence of different parameters believed
to affect the punching shear behavior of spandrel ledges
is presented. The applicability as well as the safety of
the PCI punching shear design provisions for
prestressed ledger beams are demonstrated.
2. PREDICTING THE PUNCHING SHEAR
CAPACITY OF SPANDREL LEDGES
A critical review of the available literature on prestressed
concrete spandrels finds only one beam that failed due to
punching shear of the ledge (Klein 1986). The beam was
originally designed according to the PCI Design
Handbook to fail in shear at the end regions of the beam.
Unexpectedly, failure was controlled by punching shear
of the ledge at a relatively low load level. This beam was
selected to demonstrate the capability of the finite
element model to predict punching shear failure of
spandrel ledges. Reinforcement details of the spandrel
Advances in Structural Engineering Vol. 10 No. 5 2007
203
250 mm (TYP.)
Hanger reinforcement
2-No.12M (TYP.)
152
100 No.12M (TYP.)
4-12.7 mm strands
No.10M@300 mm (TYP.) 75 (stress relieved)
356
SECT. A-A
Sideview of the spandrel beam
beam are shown in Figure 2. Complete details about the
experimental program and test results are reported in
Klein (1986).
A general purpose non-linear finite element program,
ANACAP, Version 2.2.3 (2003) was selected to
perform the analysis. The accuracy of the finite element
software to predict punching shear failure has been
extensively validated by several researchers (Hassan et al.
2000; Mufti and Hassan 2005; Seliem et al. 2006).
Taking advantage of the symmetry of the spandrel
beam, only half of the beam was modeled using 20-node
brick elements. Each node has three translational
degrees of freedom. The reinforcement was modeled as
individual sub-elements embedded in the concrete
elements. The analysis accounted for every single
reinforcing bar within the spandrel beam. Complete bond
was assumed between the reinforcing bars and the
concrete elements. The stress and stiffness of the rebar
sub-elements are superimposed on the concrete element
in which the rebar resides. The prestressing losses were
assumed as 24 percent as outlined by Klein 1986.
Detailed information regarding concrete and
reinforcement modeling using ANACAP can be found
elsewhere (Hassan et al. 2007). The prestressing force
was applied gradually at the beam ends to account for
the transfer length of the prestressing strands (Hassan
et al. 2007). The load was applied at each double-T stem
location. The analysis was conducted using an
incremental-iterative solution procedure, in which the
applied load was incrementally increased up to failure.
Boundary conditions were modeled to mimic those used
477
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Finite Element Study of Shear Behavior of Spandrel Ledges and Comparison with PCI Shear Design Provisions

A Plane of symmetry
Lateral restraints (TYP.) 203

18×102 18×102

Z
152
Z

Support X Y
95 (web of spandrel beam, TYP.)
95 95 47.5 356
6×90 11×102 11×102 7×160
4236.5 mm Section A-A
All dimensions are in mm A
Elevation of the spandrel beam Sideview of the spandrel beam

Figure 3. Mesh dimensions used in the finite element model of the spandrel beam

Table 1. Materials properties used in finite element analysis

Spandrel beam tested

Property by Klein (1986)
Specified concrete compressive strength, f_c (MPa) 40
Elastic modulus of the concrete (GPa) 30
Yield strength of 10M reinforcing bars (MPa) 544
Yield strength of 12M reinforcing bars (MPa) 85
Yield strength of 16M reinforcing bars (MPa) 443
Yield strength of 19M reinforcing bars (MPa) 443
Yield strength of pretressing strands (MPa) 1675
Prestressing losses 24%

*Modulus of elasticity of all conventional and prestressing steel is 200 GPa.

in the laboratory (Klein 1986). Mesh dimensions used in
modeling the spandrel beam is shown in Figure 3.
Material properties of the concrete and steel
reinforcement used in the finite element analysis are
given in Table 1.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The predicted rotations at the mid-span of the spandrel
beam compared to the measured values are shown in
Figure 4. Linear behavior was observed up to initiation
of the first flexural crack at mid-span followed by a non-
linear behavior. The predicted rotations compared well
the measured values up to failure. The predicted
ultimate rotation of the spandrel overestimated the
measured value by less than one degree. Cracks were
first initiated at the ledge/web junction at an end
reaction of 240 kN. As the load increased, the cracks
started to propagate along the length of the spandrel and
turned into shear cracks as shown in Figure 5. Prior to
failure, a well-developed pattern of inclined and
rainbow-type cracks developed on the front face of the
spandrel beam as shown in Figure 5. It should be noted
that diagonal tension cracks were dominant on the front
face of the spandrel due to the combined shear and
torsion stresses. Flexural cracks were first predicted on
the back face of the spandrel at a load level of 350 kN
due to out of plane bending behavior of the beam. The
same crack pattern was observed during testing as
reported by Klein (1986).
Failure in the analytical model was due to punching
shear of the ledge at an end reaction of 605 kN, which is
9 percent less than the measured value. The analysis was

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Tarek K. Hassan

1400

1200
End reaction of spandrel (kN)

Mid-span
1000 PCI design handbook prediction
section

800

600

Experimental
400
FEA

200

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
285 kN
Mid-span rotation (degrees)

Figure 4. Predicted versus measured rotations at mid-span of the

spandrel beam

terminated when the principal compressive strains along

the diagonal compressive strut in the ledge exceeded
0.002. Such a limiting value has been recommended by
several researchers for shear failure along the diagonal
350 kN
compressive strut (Vecchio and Collins 1982; Collins
and Mitchell 1997). Figure 6(a) shows contours of the
principal compressive strains at failure. The figure
clearly shows that the principal compressive strains at
the punching cone exceeded the limiting value of 0.002.
The analysis indicates that punching shear failure took
place at the first and last double-T stems, which
matched the observed failure mode during testing as
shown in Figure 6(b).
410 kN
According to the PCI Design Handbook (2004), the
nominal shear strength of beam ledges supporting Figure 5. Crack pattern at different loading stages
concentrated loads, Vn, is expressed by the lesser of
Eqns 1 and 2: spandrel ledges as will be discussed in the following
section.
Vn = 0.249 f 'c hl  2l p + bt + hl  ( N, mm ) (1)
4. PARAMETRIC STUDY
Vn = 0.083 f c hl  2l p + bt + hl + 2de  ( N, mm ) (2)
' The analysis was extended to investigate the influence
of concrete compressive strength, ledge dimensions,
prestressing level, percentage of debonded strands as
where fc′ is the concrete compressive strength in MPa well as the amount of hanger reinforcement. A total of
and hl, lp, bt, de are the dimensions of the spandrel beam 14 different cases were analyzed using the calibrated
as shown in Figure 1. The analysis indicated that the finite element model as given in Table 2. In the
predicted end reaction of the spandrel using the PCI following discussion, the spandrel beam tested by Klein
Design Handbook dangerously overestimated the shear (1986) and presented in the previous section was used as
strength of the ledge by 50 percent. Such a phenomenon a basis of comparison. One parameter was varied in
necessitates detailed investigation of the different each case, while other parameters were kept the same as
parameters believed to affect the punching shear of the those used in modeling the basic spandrel beam.

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Finite Element Study of Shear Behavior of Spandrel Ledges and Comparison with PCI Shear Design Provisions
(a)
Mid-span
section
Principal compressive strains
exceed 0.002 at the punching
failure cone 605 kN
Figure 6. (a) Principal compressive strain distribution at failure. (b) Typical punching shear failure as observed by Klein (1986)
4.1. Concrete Compressive Strength
Two different spandrel beams with concrete
compressive strengths of 25 and 60 MPa were analyzed
using the calibrated finite element model. The predicted
rotations at mid-span of different spandrels are shown in
Figure 7. Predictably, increasing the concrete compressive
strength, increased the punching shear capacity of the
ledge. However, the increase in capacity is not
proportional to that predicted using the PCI Design
Handook (2004). In the PCI design expressions, the
effect of concrete compressive strength on the punching
shear capacity of spandrel ledges is represented using
the square root of the compressive strength, f ′c .
According to the PCI Design Handbook, increasing f ′c
from 40 to 60 MPa results in 22 percent increase in
punching shear capacity. The predicted increase in
capacity using finite element analysis as a result of
increasing f ′c is only 13 percent, which matches the
corresponding increase in capacity using f ′c1/4. It should
be highlighted that the 1/2 power currently used by the
PCI Design Handbook represents the tensile strength of
the concrete as a function of the compressive strength.
Zuo and Darwin (2000) have also observed that the f ′c1/4
can better represent the concrete contribution in tension
for lapped-spliced beams. Based on the results of the
analysis, it should be emphasized that the PCI shear
design provisions for concrete ledges provided less
safety factors for high strength concrete.
4.2. Ledge Dimensions
The effect of the width of the horizontal projection of
the ledge, lp, on the punching shear behavior is
480
–0.0395
–0.0020 (b)
–0.0017
–0.0014
–0.0011
–0.0009
–0.0006
–0.0003
0.0000
0.0004
illustrated in Figure 8. The analysis was conducted using
different values of lp that ranged from 150 to 250 mm.
The load was applied as a uniform pressure acting along
the width of the ledge, lp so that the resultant of the
applied load is located at a distance of lp /2 from the face
of the web. The figure clearly shows that the predicted
rotations at mid-span are strongly influenced by the
horizontal projection of the ledge. After flexural
cracking, the predicted rotations using lp=250 mm were
almost double those predicted using lp=150 mm.
According to the PCI design expressions, given in Eqns
1 and 2, increasing the horizontal projection of the beam
ledge, increases the punching shear capacity as a result
of the corresponding increase in the punching surface
area of the ledge. It should be highlighted that the PCI
expressions do not account for the effect of eccentricity
between the applied load and the centroid of the critical
section, which could significantly reduce the punching
shear capacity of the ledge. Increasing the horizontal
projection of the ledge increased concrete cracking
along the ledge/web junction and accelerates punching
shear failure. The analysis indicated that increasing lp
from 150 mm to 250 mm (66 percent increase), reduced
the punching shear capacity by 10 percent. Conversely,
a corresponding increase in punching capacity by 11
was predicted using the PCI design expressions.
Figures 9 and 10 show the influence of the height of
the ledge, hl, and the width of the bearing area, bt, on the
punching shear behavior of the ledge. The punching
shear capacity was significantly improved by increasing
the depth of the ledge. The increase in punching shear
capacity was directly proportional to the increase in the
height as predicted by the PCI expressions. The analysis
Advances in Structural Engineering Vol. 10 No. 5 2007
 02_06-512-Hassan

Tarek K. Hassan
15/10/07
10:27 am

Table 2. Results of the finite element analysis

Ultimate capacity
f’c lp hl bt Hanger % of Debonded (kN) P FEA /
Page 481

Case # (MPa) (mm) (mm) (mm) PJacking reinforcement strands PFEA PPCI P FEA/P PCI P Proposed

Advances in Structural Engineering Vol. 10 No. 5 2007

1 (Control) 40 150 300 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 605 993 0.61 1.05
2 25 150 300 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 560 788 0.71 1.25
3 60 150 300 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 658 1243 0.53 0.92
4 40 200 300 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 578 1047 0.55 0.95
5 40 250 300 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 542 1102 0.49 0.85
6 40 150 250 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 569 798 0.71 1.23
7 40 150 350 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 640 1197 0.53 0.92
8 40 150 300 75 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 596 982 0.50 1.05
9 40 150 300 115 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 0% 623 1003 0.51 1.07
10 40 150 300 95 0.3 fu 12M @ 200 0% 524 993 0.53 0.91
11 40 150 300 95 0.5 fu 12M @ 200 0% 560 993 0.56 0.97
12 40 150 300 95 0.7 fu 10M @ 200 0% 498 993 0.50 0.86
13 40 150 300 95 0.7 fu 16M @ 200 0% 694 993 0.70 1.2
14 40 150 300 95 0.7 fu 12M @ 200 50% 587 993 0.59 1.02

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Finite Element Study of Shear Behavior of Spandrel Ledges and Comparison with PCI Shear Design Provisions

1400 1400

PCI design handbook for f'c = 60 MPa

1200 1200
End reaction of spandrel (kN)

End reaction of spandrel (kN)

1000 PCI design handbook for f'c = 40 MPa 1000 PCI design handbook prediction

800 PCI design handbook for f'c = 25 MPa 800

600 600

400 f'c = 25 MPa 400

Jacking stress = 0.3fu
f'c = 40 MPa
f'c = 60 MPa Jacking stress = 0.5fu
200 200
Jacking stress = 0.7fu
0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Mid-span rotation (degrees) Mid-span rotation (degrees)

Figure 7. Influence of concrete compressive strength on punching Figure 9. Influence of ledge’s height on punching shear capacity
shear capacity

1400 1400

1200 1200
bt = 115 mm
lp = 250 mm bt = 95 mm
End reaction of spandrel (kN)

End reaction of spandrel (kN)

lp = 200 mm
1000 lp = 150 mm 1000
bt = 75 mm
800 800

600 600

400 400
Width of ledge = 150 mm Width of DT stem = 75 mm

200 Width of ledge = 200 mm Width of DT stem = 95 mm

200
Width of ledge = 250 mm Width of DT stem = 115 mm
0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Mid-span rotation (degrees) Mid-span rotation (degrees)

Figure 8. Influence of ledge’s width on punching shear capacity Figure 10. Influence of width of bearing area on punching shear
capacity

indicated that the width of the bearing area has a 0.7fu, where fu is the ultimate tensile strength of the
negligible effect on the punching shear behavior of the prestressing strands. The predicted rotations for
ledge. Increasing the width of bearing area by 53 different cases are plotted in Figure 11 versus the end
percent increased the punching shear capacity by less reaction of the spandrel. The analysis indicated that
than 5 percent. The same effect was also predicted using punching shear failure was always preceded by
the PCI design expressions. Failure of all the analyzed significant cracking along the ledge/web junction.
spandrels was due to punching shear failure of the ledge Increasing the prestressing level, limits concrete
as described in the previous section. cracking along the ledge/web junction and thus,
improves the punching shear capacity. Results of the
4.3. Prestressing Level and Strands Debonding analysis showed a 15 percent increase in punching
Three spandrel beams were analyzed assuming shear capacity in consequence of increasing the jacking
different jacking stress levels for the prestressing stress from 0.3fu to 0.7fu.
strands. The jacking stress was varied from 0.3fu to Debonding of the prestressing strands has a less

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Tarek K. Hassan

1400 1400

1200 1200
End reaction of spandrel (kN)

End reaction of spandrel (kN)

1000 PCI design handbook prediction 1000 PCI design handbook prediction

Crack opening is
800 800 restrained by additional
hanger reinforcement

600 600

400 400
Jacking stress = 0.3fu Stirrups: 10M@200 mm
Jacking stress = 0.5fu Stirrups: 12M@200 mm
200 200
Jacking stress = 0.7fu Stirrups: 16M@200 mm
0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Mid-span rotation (degrees) Mid-span rotation (degrees)

Figure 11. Influence of prestressing level on punching shear Figure 13. Influence of hanger reinforcement on the punching
behavior of spandrel ledges shear behavior of spandrel ledges

1400
shown in Figure 13 for different cases. Results showed
1200
that use of hanger reinforcement significantly improves
the punching shear capacity of spandrel ledges.
End reaction of spandrel (kN)

1000
Increasing the hanger reinforcement ratio provided
PCI design handbook prediction additional constraints to crack propagation through the
800
web and delayed punching shear failure as shown in
Figure 13. The punching shear capacity of the spandrel
600
beam with hanger reinforcement ratio of 0.18 percent
(No.10M@200mm) was 498 kN. The analysis indicated
400 that increasing the hanger reinforcement ratio by 77
All strands are fully bonded percent (No.12M@200mm) and 177 percent
200 50% of strands are debonded (No.16M@200mm), increased the punching shear
capacity by 21 and 40 percent, respectively. It should be
0 noted that the PCI shear design expressions are
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 independent on the hanger reinforcement ratio.
Mid-span rotation (degrees)

Figure 12. Influence of strands debonding on the punching shear

behavior of spandrel ledges
pronounced effect compared to the prestressing level.
The analysis indicated that debonding 50 percent of the
prestressing strands for a distance of 1200 mm from the
beam ends, reduced the punching shear capacity by 3
percent as shown in Figure 12. It should be noted that
the PCI shear design expressions for beam ledges do not
account for the effect of the prestressing level nor the
percentage of debonded strands.
4.4. Hanger Reinforcement
Three different hanger reinforcement ratios were
investigated, 0.18, 0.32, and 0.5 percent, respectively.
Comparison of the predicted rotations at mid-span is
5. PROPOSED EXPRESSIONS
Results of the finite element analysis and PCI
predictions are summarized in Table 2 for different
cases. The calculated capacities using PCI shear design
provisions overestimated those predicted using finite
element analysis by an average of 60 percent. Proposing
different design expressions to account for all the key
parameters affecting the punching shear behavior of
prestressed spandrel ledges requires additional
computational work, further verification models and
compilation of more experimental data. However, based
on the results of the finite element analysis, it is
suggested to use a reduction factor for the PCI design
expressions of 0.60 to ensure that punching shear failure
will not govern the design of typical spandrel ledges.
The proposed design expressions can be expressed by

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Finite Element Study of Shear Behavior of Spandrel Ledges and Comparison with PCI Shear Design Provisions
the lesser of Eqns 3 and 4:
Vn = 0.15 f ′ c hl  2l p + bt + hl  ( N, mm )
Vn = 0.05 f ′ c hl  2l p + bt + hl + 2de  ( N, mm ) (4)
where f_c is the concrete compressive strength in MPa
and hl, lp, bt, de are the dimensions of the spandrel beam
as shown in Figure 1. The ratio of the calculated end
reaction using the proposed punching capacity of the
ledge compared well with the results of the finite
element analysis as demonstrated in Table 2.
6. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this investigation, the
following conclusions can be drawn:
1. Punching shear behavior of spandrel ledges can
be predicted using non-linear finite element
analysis. The analysis is capable of predicting
out of plane deformation, crack pattern, mode of
failure and ultimate load carrying capacity with
a sufficient accuracy.
2. The PCI shear design provisions for spandrel
ledges are dangerously unconservative. The
provisions do not account for key parameters,
which affect the punching shear behavior including
the prestressing level, hanger reinforcement and
percentage of debonded strands.
3. The effect of concrete compressive strength on
the punching shear capacity of spandrel ledges
can be better represented using f ′c1/4.
4. The effect of eccentricity between the applied
load and the centroid of the critical section in L-
shaped spandrel beams could significantly
reduce the punching shear capacity of the ledge
and should be accounted for in the PCI shear
design provisions for spandrel ledges.
5. Increasing the prestressing level, limits concrete
cracking along the ledge/web junction and thus,
improves the punching shear capacity. Results
of the analysis showed a 15 percent increase in
punching shear capacity in consequence of
increasing the jacking stress from 0.3fu to 0.7fu.
6. Hanger reinforcement significantly improves the
punching shear capacity of spandrel ledges by
providing additional restraints to crack propagation
through the web of the spandrel beam.
7. It is suggested to use a reduction factor for the
484
PCI design expressions of 0.60 to ensure that
punching shear failure will not govern the
design of typical spandrel ledges.
(3)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was part of a research project funded by the
Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental
Engineering at North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, NC, USA. The author would like to
acknowledge the sincere support provided by Dr. Sami
H. Rizkalla during the research period.
REFERENCES
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