Failures in concrete structures : case studies in reinforced and prestressed concrete / Robin Whittle.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Some lessons are only learned from mistakes but, it's much cheaper to learn from someone else's mistakes than to have to do so from your own. Drawing on overnbsp;fifty years of working with concrete structures, Robin Whittle examines the problems which he has seen occur and shows how they could have been avoided.

The first and largest part of the book tells the stories of a number of cases where things have gone wrong with concrete structures. Each case is analyzed to identify its cause and how it might have been prevented. It then looks at how failures in structural modelling can lead to big problems if they are not identified before construction is undertaken. Beyond this it examines how contract arrangements can encourage or prevent problems in the designing and building processes. It concludes with an examination of the role research and development in preventing failures.

By identifying the differences between shoddy economizations and genuine efficiency savings, this book offers savings in the short term which won't be at the expense of a structure's long-term performance. Invaluable reading if you're designing or building concrete structures and want to avoid problems which could be expensive or embarrassing further down the line.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. ix)
• Acknowledgements (p. xi)
• Introduction (p. xiii)
• 1 Failures due to Design Errors (p. 1)
• 1.1 Edge Beam and Column Connection (p. 2)
• 1.2 Concrete Truss (p. 5)
• 1.3 Circular Ramps to Car Park (p. 8)
• 1.4 Transfer Beam with Eccentric Loading (p. 10)
• 1.5 Early Thermal Effects (p. 10)
• 1.6 Secondary Effects of Prestressing (p. 14)
• 1.7 Temperature Effects on Long-Span Hybrid Structure (p. 16)
• 1.8 Loading for Flat Slab Analysis (p. 18)
• 1.9 Precast Concrete Car Park (p. 19)
• 1.10 Arch Floor (p. 21)
• 1.11 Precast Concrete Stair flights (p. 21)
• 1.12 Shear Studs on Steel Column to Support Concrete Slab (p. 24)
• 1.13 Piled Raft for Tower Block (p. 26)
• 1.14 Floating Pontoon for Residential Building (p. 27)
• 1.15 Precast Column Joint Detail (p. 27)
• 2 Problems and Failures due to Errors in Structural Modelling (p. 31)
• 2.1 Reinforced Concrete Transfer Truss (p. 31)
• 2.2 Modelling Rigid Links (p. 31)
• 2.3 Assessing Model Limits and Limitations (p. 32)
• 2.4 Empirical Methods (p. 34)
• 2.5 Initial Sizing of Slabs (p. 35)
• 2.6 Analysis of Flat Slabs with Finite Element Programs (p. 35)
• 2.7 Scale Effects (p. 37)
• 3 Failures due to Inappropriate Extrapolation of Code of Practice Clauses (p. 39)
• 3.1 Cooling Towers (p. 39)
• 3.2 Design Bending Moments (p. 41)
• 3.3 Piles with High Strength Reinforcement (p. 42)
• 3.4 Shear Capacity of Deep Sections (p. 43)
• 4 Failures due to Misuse of Code of Practice Clauses (p. 47)
• 4.1 Flat Slab and Two-Way Slab Behaviour (p. 47)
• 4.2 Ribbed Slab Supported on Broad Beam (p. 48)
• 4.3 Car Park Columns (p. 50)
• 5 Problems and Failures due to Inadequate Assessment of Critical Force Paths (p. 53)
• 5.1 Heavily Loaded Nibs (p. 53)
• 5.2 Shear Wall with Holes and Corner Supports (p. 53)
• 5.3 Design of Boot Nibs (p. 56)
• 6 Problems and Failures due to Poor Detailing (p. 57)
• 6.1 Concrete Offshore Platform (p. 57)
• 6.2 Assembly Hall Roof (p. 60)
• 6.3 University Building Roof (p. 62)
• 6.4 Minimum Reinforcement and Cracking (p. 64)
• 6.5 Precast Concrete Panel Building (p. 65)
• 6.6 Footbridge (p. 67)
• 7 Problems and Failures due to Inadequate Understanding of Materials' Properties (p. 69)
• 7.1 Changes over Time (p. 69)
• 7.2 Rebending of Reinforcement (p. 71)
• 7.3 Tack Welding of Reinforcement (p. 73)
• 7.4 High Alumina Cement (p. 73)
• 7.5 Calcium Chloride (p. 74)
• 7.6 Alkali-Silica Reaction (p. 75)
• 7.7 Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (p. 77)
• 8 Problems and Failures due to Poor Construction (p. 79)
• 8.1 Flat Slab Construction for Hotel (p. 79)
• 8.2 Steel Piles Supporting Block of Flats (p. 81)
• 8.3 Shear Cracks in Precast T Units (p. 81)
• 8.4 Cantilever Balconies to Block of Flats (p. 82)
• 8.5 Precast Concrete Tank (p. 83)
• 8.6 Car Park (p. 85)
• 8.7 Cracking of Offshore Platform during Construction (p. 87)
• 8.8 Spalling of Load Bearing Mullions (p. 90)
• 8.9 Two-Way Spanning Slab (p. 92)
• 8.10 Chimney Flue for Coal-Fired Power Station (p. 93)
• 9 Problems and Failures due to Poor Management (p. 97)
• 9.1 Column-Slab Joint (p. 97)
• 9.2 Placing of Precast Units (p. 100)
• 9.3 Weak Aggregate Concrete in Chimney (p. 101)
• 10 Problems and Failures due to Poor Construction Planning (p. 103)
• 10.1 Power Station on River Thames (p. 103)
• 10.2 Tower Block (p. 106)
• 11 Problems and Failures due to Deliberate Malpractice (p. 111)
• 11.1 Floor with Excessive Deflection (p. 111)
• 11.2 Piles for Large Structure (p. 113)
• 11.3 In Situ Columns Supporting Precast Building (p. 113)
• 12 Problems Arising from the Procurement Process (p. 117)
• 12.1 Effects of Different Forms of Contracts (p. 117)
• 12.2 Workmanship (p. 118)
• 12.3 Checking Construction (p. 119)
• 13 Contributions of Research and Development toward Avoidance of Failures (p. 121)
• 13.1 Links between Practice and Research (p. 121)
• 13.2 Flat Slab Behaviour (p. 121)
• 13.3 Span and Effective Depth Ratios for Slabs (p. 122)
• 13.4 Beam and Column Joints (p. 122)
• 13.5 Tension Stiffening of Concrete (p. 123)
• References (p. 127)
• Index (p. 129)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Robin Whittle has over 50 years design and site experience of working with concrete structures. He is currently a consultant to the Arup Group ltd.