EFFECT OF UNCERTAINTIES AS TO PHYSICAL CONSTANTS 5

We have as elements in the problem the ordinary, long-recognized

variation of the modulus of elasticity, uncertainties as to the distribu
tion of stresses on plane sections in T-beams and in other cases, uncer
tainties as to the location and effect of local cracking, and uncertainties
introduced by the effect of time yield. We have elements of uncertainty,
then, as to the exact mechanics of internal stress, we have elements of
chance, and we have variation in the properties of the material with
time and with stress intensity. The problem of analysis of a continuous
structure now seems somewhat hopeless. The statement frequently
made that structures of reinforced concrete are not truly elastic in the
sense that they do not have complete elastic recovery is perfectly true
and entirely immaterial. But the fact that structures of reinforced
concrete are not truly elastic in the sense that we cannot predict with
accuracy and certainty the exact angle change per unit of moment per
unit of length from one section to another of a beam is also true and is
very pertinent.
What is /? Various values have been suggested for I. For rec
tangular sections some use the moment of inertia of the full transformed
section, some neglect the reinforcement and use 1/12-Acd2, where Ac is
the total area of concrete and d is the full depth. Some have suggested

It will that the exact value is not very important, and

be seen later
hence many approximations may legitimately be used. The authors
recommend the moment of inertia of the full transformed section as the
most satisfactory standard.
The greatest uncertainty arises in determining the value of /
to use
for beam and slab construction. Some use the moment of inertia of
the full transformed section consisting of the beam and the connecting
slab for a width extending halfway to the next parallel beams. This
seems the most satisfactory treatment and is recommended. Many
variations have been suggested, however.
Effect of Uncertainties as to Physical Constants. The effect of the
girders on the columns is much greater than the effect of the columns
on the girders. Moments in the girders are the sum of fixed-end mo
ments and distributed moments as explained later. Fixed-end moments,
though subject to some uncertainty, are quite definitely known. The
column simply affects the distribution of the unbalanced moment and
this unbalanced moment is only a part, and often a small part, of the
total moment in the member. But in general, the column has no trans
verse load and no fixed-end moment and the only moment in it is the
distributed moment which comes to it as an effect of loading the girder.
There is good reason to believe that the moments produced by loads on