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May 2008
10.1 According to Cl. 5.5 of the Code, transfer structures are horizontal elements
which redistribute vertical loads where there is a discontinuity between the
vertical structural elements above and below.
10.2 In the analysis of transfer structures, consideration should be given to the
followings as per Cl. 5.5 of the Code :
(i)
Construction and pouring sequence the effects of construction
sequence can be important in design of transfer structures due to the
comparatively large stiffness of the transfer structure and sequential built
up of stiffness of structures above the transfer structure as illustrated in
Figure 10.1;
(ii)
Temporary and permanent loading conditions especially important
when it is planned to cast the transfer structures in two shifts and use the
lower shift to support the upper shift as temporary conditions, thus
creating locked-in stresses;
(iii) Varying axial shortening of elements supporting the transfer structures
which leads to redistribution of loads. The phenomenon is more serious
as the transfer structure usually possesses large flexural stiffness in
comparison with the supporting structural members, behaving somewhat
between (a) flexible floor structures on hard columns; and (b) rigid
structures (like rigid cap) on flexible columns;
(iv)
Local effects of shear walls on transfer structures shear walls will
stiffen up transfer structures considerably and the effects should be taken
into account in more accurate assessment of structural behaviour;
(v)
Deflection of the transfer structures will lead to redistribution of loads
of the superstructure. Care should be taken if the structural model above
the transfer structure is analyzed separately with the assumption that the
supports offered by the transfer structures are rigid. Re-examination of
the load redistribution should be carried out if the deflections of the
transfer structures are found to be significant;
(vi)
Lateral shear forces on the transfer structures though the shear is lateral,
it will nevertheless create out-of-plane loads in the transfer structures
which needs be taken into account;
(vii) Sidesway of the transfer structures under lateral loads and unbalanced
gravity loads should also be taken into account. The effects should be
considered if the transfer structure is analyzed as a 2-D model.
132
Version 2.3
Stage (1) :
Transfer Structure (T.S.)
just hardened
Stage (2) :
Wet concrete of 1/F just
poured
May 2008
Stage (3) :
1/F hardened and 2/F wet
concrete just poured
2/F
1/F
1/F
G/F
G/F
G/F
Stage (4) :
2/F hardened and 3/F wet
concrete just poured
Stage (5) :
3/F hardened and 4/F wet
concrete just poured
4/F
3/F
2/F
1/F
1/F
3/F
2/F
G/F
G/F
133
Version 2.3
May 2008
(v)
Version 2.3
May 2008
Transport the structure with the calculated displacements by the 3-D software
(after omission of the in-plane displacements) into the 2-D software for
re-analysis and design. Only the displacements of the nodes with external loads
(applied loads and reactions) should be transported. A 2-D structure will be
re-formulated in the 2-D software for re-analysis by which the structure is
re-analyzed by forced displacements (the transported displacements) with
recovery of the external loads (out-of-plane components only) and subsequently
recovery of the internal forces in the structure. Theoretically results of the two
models should be identical if the finite element meshing and the shape functions
adopted in the 2 models are identical. However, as the finite element meshing of
the 2-D model is usually finer than that of the 3-D one, there are differences
incurred between the 2 models, as indicated by the differences in recovery of
nodal forces in the 2-D model. The designer should check consistencies in
reactions acting on the 2 models. If large differences occur, especially when
lesser loads are revealed in the 2-D model, the designer should review his
approach;
External nodal
force is {F2D}
{F3D} after
re-analysis
External nodal
force is {F3D}