Abstract:
The creep of concrete is one of the main problems threatening concrete structural development and the stability and safety of structures. However, the nonlinear theory is the key to solving
the problem of taking into account the physical and mechanical properties of concrete creep in shell
structures. To create such a theory, the original shell is replaced by a continuous equivalent elastic
shell. To determine the stress–strain state of the structure, the equations of nonlinear creep and
crack growth are derived, and a deformation model of the section is created. The behavior of the
structure at all stages of the life cycle is investigated by solving the solving systems of differential
equations of equilibrium, motion, and perturbation of the equivalent shell. The values of the ratios
of dependence of long-term and short-term critical loads on deformations, forces, cracks, etc., are
given. The accuracy of the solution of the developed nonlinear theory is compared with the linear
theory of concrete creep as well as experimental data. The results show that, according to the linear
theory, for the values for the short term and long term, up to 56% and up to 39% of critical loads are
overestimated, respectively. The creep process in practical engineering can be effectively controlled
by the results of the proposed theory
