Hello there,

I am using Atena 3D Engineering to model the punching shear failure in a post-tensioned flat plate, and I would like to know if the way I have specified the load steps is correct or not.

The flat plate specimen is a 3mX3m (X and Y direction) square plate with 0.2m thickness (Z direction).  There is a 0.3mX0.3mX0.5m (X, Y and Z) column at the centre of the plate which is used to apply the load until the failure of the plate (in Z direction). The plate is supported on 8 points around its outer perimeter fixed in the Z direction.  Further, there are four bonded post-tensioning tendons in each X and Y direction.

I have included four load cases in Pre-processor.  The first load case is 8 supports fixed in Z direction.  The second load case is the dead load of the concrete plate.  The third load case is post-tensioning forces.  And, the fourth load case is the displacement in the Z direction which is applied through the column.

I have specified the following load steps for Run:  the first five load steps I have included the dead load and the supports i.e. load steps 1 to 5 which have the load cases 1 and 2 with analysis step mult. 0.2. Then I have included the post-tensioning force and the supports i.e. load steps 6 to 10 which have the load cases 1 and 3 with analysis step mult. 0.2. And finally, I have included the displacement at the centre of the plate with the supports i.e. load steps 11 onward with load cases 1 and 4.   

Please let me know if this thecorrect way of including the dead load and post-tensioning in the model.

Thanks

Fariborz