The present doctoral thesis was developed within the framework of the
research project "Deformation Capacity of Structural Concrete". This
project aims at developing a consistent and experimentally verified
theory of the deformation capacity of structural concrete. Previous work
included the development of a theoretical model, the so-called Tension
Chord Model, which allows a comprehensive description of the
load-deforma- tion behaviour of tension members in non-prestressed and
prestressed concrete struc- tures. The present work focuses on a new
theoretical model, the so-called Cracked Mem- brane Model. For members
subjected to in-plane forces this new model combines the ba- sic
concepts of the modified compression field theory and the tension chord
model. Crack spacings and tension stiffening effects in cracked
membranes are determined from first principles and the link to
plasticity theory methods is maintained since equilibrium conditions are
formulated in terms of stresses at the cracks rather than average
stresses between the cracks. The research project "Deformation Capacity
of Structural Concrete" has been funded by the Swiss National Science
Foundation and the Association of the Swiss Cement Pro- ducers. This
support is gratefully acknowledged. Zurich, July 1998 Prof. Dr. Peter
Marti Abstract This thesis aims at contributing to a better
understanding of the load-carrying and defor- mational behaviour of
structural concrete subjected to in-plane shear and normal forces.