Prestress force prediction in concrete bridge beams with a parabolic tendon using compression-softening theory

The deflected shape of a post–tensioned concrete beam with a parabolic tendon, subjected to an additional vertical load, was short-term measured in several laboratory experiments. The “compression–softening” theory was applied in this study. Currently, due to the conflicts among existing theories, the analytical solution for properly considering the structural behavior of these prestressed members is not clear. Thus, more ways had been tried to make the analytical displacements more similar to the experimental displacements. Furthermore, according to the “compression-softening” theory, Song’s formula (2000) was applied on the concrete beam with a parabolic tendon. Finally, after all these modifications, it has been possible to predict the flexural displacements for the concrete beam with a parabolic tendon.