Effects of the Construction Sequence on the Distribution of Internal Forces in Reinforced Concrete Elements

Inga A.J.V.; Almidon N.E.A.; Terbullino G.K.M.; Pérez P.R.; Terbullino G.F.M. · SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (2026) · DOI: 10.14445/23488352/ijce-v13i6p107

Resumen

To ensure reliable design in RC buildings, especially in high seismic hazard zones, it is important to represent the structural behavior during construction accurately. Typical analyses tend to assume the structure is being built and loaded from the beginning, and the load is applied in a continuous manner, rather than in phases. This may result in incorrect calculations of internal forces. Therefore, the primary objective of this work was to analyze and assess the impact of staged construction analysis on the redistribution of bending moment and axial forces of the reinforced concrete elements, and its effect on the overall seismic behavior. As a result, a representative building model was created and subsequently analysed using four methods: a conventional method without stages and three modified methods that included various sequential methods. As per the results shown, the proposed model resulted in 49% reduction in negative moments at supports and 48% increase in positive moments in spans, while the negative moments at lower-level columns increased beyond 79% compared with the conventional model. As far as the seismic analysis procedure is concerned, only the model with an integrated construction sequence was able to keep the magnitude of the base shear and overturning moment, while the other methods were only applicable to gravity loads. These results show that the staged analysis increases the accuracy of the design, while at the same time optimising material use, avoiding unexpected stress concentration, and even minimising uncertainty in the structural modelling. The study was performed based on a representative case, but the outcomes are transferable to buildings of similar characteristics, and the implementation of the study in future projects is recommended, as well as the validation of the study through parametric analysis and field monitoring.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú; Universidad Continental