What is the Correct Calculation for Stress in Steel and Concrete?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of stress in steel and concrete, specifically in a structural context. Participants are examining a homework problem that involves determining the correct areas and stresses for steel and concrete under a given load, with a focus on verifying calculations and assumptions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the stress of steel is 12.5 times that of concrete, with maximum allowable stresses of 175 MPa for steel and 20 MPa for concrete.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the initial calculations, suggesting that if concrete stress is set at 14 MPa, the resulting steel stress exceeds the allowable limit.
  • A participant proposes a different approach by suggesting a concrete area of 50 mm x 50 mm and questions the practicality of the calculated area of steel being 0.52 mm².
  • There is a correction regarding the equation used for calculating total force, with a participant noting the importance of correctly defining the areas of steel and concrete.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the units used in the calculations, specifically the meaning of 10^6 and 10^3 in the context of pressure and force.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the calculations. There are multiple competing views regarding the assumptions made and the validity of the results, with some participants challenging the initial answers and proposing alternative methods.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the assumptions about the load distribution on the combined area of steel and concrete, as well as the clarity of unit conversions in the calculations.

foo9008
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Homework Statement


here's the question , Part of solution was given , but not the final ans . I have tried to do , but i need someone to verify my ans .

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Since , stress of steel is 12.5 times of stress of concrete . The max allowable stress in steel is 175MPa , while for the concrete is 20MPa . The author choose stress of steel = 175MPa , because by doing so , the stress in concrete is 14MPa(<20MPa) ,
But if the author choose stress of concrete = 14MPA , then the stress of steel would be = 12.5(14) = 250MPa , which is (>175MPa)

So , in 2nd part , my working = (17.5x10^6)(Area of steel) + (14x10^6)(10 Area of steel ) = 1000x10^3

so , Area of steel = 0.52(mm^2) , is my ans and concept correct ?
 

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or there's something wrong with my calculation ?
 
Anyone can response?
 
anyone ?
 
Or each of the steel and concrete received forces of 1000kN ?
 
The second part doesn't look right.

Note the area of the concrete, a2, is 10 times the area of the steel. What is the area of the steel?

What does one assume about load P on the combined area?
 
Your answer of 0.52 mm2 seems improbable, if not impractical, and so, without looking at your working, I am inclined to try a different approach. The usual problem here is often the units; so stick to, say N and mm. Try a concrete area of say 50 mm x 50 mm. At 14 MPa (ie N/mm2) , its resistance is? The steel would have a thickness of 250/200 = 1.25 mm and this does seem practical. So what is the steel's resistance? When you add these two resistances together, how does this compare with the applied load? So how far are you from the problem now you have a better feel for the quantities involved? - perhaps this is not the help you were expecting, but worth trying?
 
Astronuc said:
The second part doesn't look right.

Note the area of the concrete, a2, is 10 times the area of the steel. What is the area of the steel?

What does one assume about load P on the combined area?
sorry , i made a typo , it should be (175x10^6)(Area of steel) + (14x10^6)(10 Area of steel ) = 1000x10^3
Area of steel = 3.174(mm^2) , is it correct now ?
 
Astronuc said:
What does one assume about load P on the combined area?
total force = pressure act on steel (area of steel) + pressure on concrete (area of concrete)
= pressure act on steel (area of steel) + pressure on concrete (10 area of steel)
 
  • #10
Still looks funny. I am struggling to visualise 3.174 mm2. You haven't declared your units. Can you explain the 10^6 and the 10^3 in your corrected equation?
 
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  • #11
pongo38 said:
Still looks funny. I am struggling to visualise 3.174 mm2. You haven't declared your units. Can you explain the 10^6 and the 10^3 in your corrected equation?
10^6 = MPa , 10^3 = kN , are they wrong ?
 
  • #12
are they wrong ?
 

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