Construction Cost Estimating

      

The influences of openings in concrete beams on serviceability and strength of the structure

Transverse openings in concrete beams may contain various shapes and sizes. Therefore, it is suggested to apply circular shape to arrange accommodation for service pipes, as for instance electrical supply and plumping, and applying rectangular transverse opening through for arranging spaces for rectangular ducts of air conditioners.

In current structures and buildings, if it is required to generate transverse openings through beams for superior application and services over beam soffit except dead spaces, it could be potentially damaging.

Problems associated with transversal openings through beams should be circumvented in case positioning of utility services is properly prearranged and considered earlier but it may not happen always.

Usually, there exist two most common states if it is necessary to drill holes throughout utility installation of buildings developed recently as well as in current structures.

In the earlier case owing to the request of contractor who prefer to save money by reorganizing pipe services that is not taken into consideration in the design phase.

These types of requests may put the serviceability and safety of buildings at risk. The later occurs when structural performance of an old building is required for evaluation. In this situation core sample of concrete is extracted for analyzing carefully. Afterward, the opening is packed with non-shrinking grouts.

The influences of openings in concrete beams on serviceability and strength of the structure
Image Courtesy: theconstructor.org

To read the complete article, go through the following link theconstructor.org