Short- and long-term deflections of RC building structures influenced by construction processes

This paper analyzes the influence of the construction process on short- and long-term deflections on a reinforced concrete structure poured on-site by a portable industrialized system. A parametric analysis was carried out by the Finite Elements Method (FEM) that considered: a) type of construction process with reshoring or clearing (partial striking); b) the number of successively shored floors and c) the number of shores used on each floor. All three factors were especially important for the values of short- and long-term deflections, which were highest in the reshoring processes with the lowest number of successively shored floors and the lowest number of shores per floor. Deflections obtained were compared with the limits laid down by ACI 318-14 and as calculated by this code’s simplified method. The long-term deflections were seen to be almost double than those obtained by applying the ACI 318-14 code’s simplified method and in some cases these deflections were above the established limits. It can thus be concluded that the load history of a building under construction should be taken into account in order to satisfy a structure’s in-service conditions and durability.