An international competition to predict the response of reinforced concrete panels

Abstract

An international competition was organized to compare analytical methods for predicting the response of reinforced concrete elements subjected to general two-dimensional stress states. Four panels tested in a University of Toronto research program formed the subject of the competition. Entrants were asked to predict the panels' ultimate strength and load–deformation response, and to provide a brief description of the basis for their predictions.Twenty-seven entries from thirteen countries were received. Predictions of ultimate strength were generally higher than the experimental values, and were marked by coefficients of variation of up to 40%. Predicted strains were also much higher than observed, and had coefficients of variation of 50–100%. The analytical methods used varied from simple hand calculations to complex finite element procedures.This paper briefly reviews the physical properties, loading conditions, and observed response of the four test panels. Statistical details and general trends pertaining to the predictions received are discussed, and capsule summaries of the methods and assumptions used are presented.