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STM is the acronym for Strut and Tie Models or Strut and Tie Methods. It is a design method of
reinforced concrete structures by idealizing structural components as truss models which are
composed of axially loaded members, including compression bearing members (strut) and tension
bearing members (tie).
B REGION
The word B region is short for Bernoulli region or Beam region. According to Bernoulli
hypothesis (Plane sections remain plane after bending), the strains in concrete structures follow a
linear distribution. This is the theoretical basis for flexural design of concrete components. Those
regions which follow Bernoulli hypotheses belong to B regions. They could be designed by simple
calculations.
CORBEL
Corbel is an example which does not follow the Bernoulli hypotheses. It is discontinued in geometry.
Or we can say the stress and strain in corbel is disturbed.
D REGION
Examples of D regions
D region means discontinued region or disturbed region, such as corbel. These D regions do not
follow Bernoulli hypothesis. Thus, they could not be designed or analyzed by simple calculations. The
solution is either empirical approximation or very complicated computations such as FEA methods.
EXAMPLES
Besides corbels, there are many other types of D regions, such as deep beams, pile caps, beams
with opening holes, and beam-column joints.
FLEXURE
Take the design of pile caps as an example. In many cases, pile caps are designed by beam theory.
They are assumed to fail in flexure, which is a ductile break and has warning cracks. However,
according to several research works, the failure modes of most of them are brittle shear failures.
GRAPHICAL PROCEDURE
STM was presented by Schlaich et al. in the year 1987. Other research works include Collins and
Mitchell (1991) and MacGregor (1992). It has been adopted by many codes or standards, such as
AASHTO LRFD Specifications, ACI 318, CSA Standard, FIP Recommendations, and European Code.
INCLINED ANGLE
One of the definitions in these codes for STM is the geometric rules in creating a proper STM model.
Feasible inclined angle between strut and tie members is an important factor. There are different
provisions in different codes. Approximately, the inclined angle is limited between 25 and 60. For
example, in the ACI 318M-05, the provision is The angle between the axes of any strut and any tie
entering a single node shall not be taken as less than 25 degrees.
JOINT
Nothing is elixir. STM is only a tool kit for structural engineers. It is not a cookbook procedure. It
could perform well only when used correctly. In order to use STM properly, engineers should have a
good understanding of structural behavior and an accurate judgment of design issues.
LOAD PATH
The basic method for STM is showed in this flow chart (C. C. Fu, 2001).
Since there are several possible models, we should use the most ideal model in our analysis.
Generally, the common criterion is the amount of reinforcement. A model with the minimum amount
of reinforcement is usually the optimal model.
POTENTIAL
STM could provide relatively easy and accurate analysis for D regions in reinforced concrete. It is
also useful in the shear design of structural members. Thus, it has a great potential in the field of
concrete structures.
QUANTITATIVE
Although STM is a graphical procedure, quantitative method is still required. The calculation of the
amount of ties and the checking of nodes and struts all need quantitative procedures. We can see
the detailed procedure in the following example.
REINFORCEMENT
happen.
STRUT
Basically, there are three types of struts: prism, fan, and bottle. They have different factors in the
calculation of compression strengths.
TIE
Ties are tension members in the STM models. They should have adequate anchorage in the nodes.
UNIFIED APPROACH
The tile of the paper of Schlaich et al. in the year 1987 is Toward a Consistent Design of Structural
Concrete. Since STM considers all load effects simultaneously, it is a unified approach for concrete
structures.
VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT
Like deep beams, load bearing walls could also be analyzed by STM.
X-RAY
In order to guarantee the safety of structural members, reinforcement should yield before the brittle
crush of concrete.
ZUM BEISPIEL (FOR EXAMPLE)
ACI Committee 318, Building code requirements for structural concrete and commentary (ACI
318M-05), 2005
Schlaich, J.; Schfer, K.; and Jennewein, M., Toward a Consistent Design of structural Concrete,
PCI Journal, V. 32, No. 3, 1987, pp. 74-150.
Wight, J.K., and Parra-Montesinos, G. Strut-and-tie model for deep beam design, ACI Concrete
International, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2003, pp. 63-70
Wight, J.K. Keynote Development of the Strut-and-Tie Method for Appendix A of the Building Code