Effect of ambient temperature on the redistribution of loads during construction of multi-storey concrete structures

The purpose of the present work is to evaluate the influence of ambient temperature variations in the load distribution between shores and slabs of high-rise structures under construction. On-site measurements have been carried out at different construction sites. These measurements have allowed an analysis of the relationship between the evolution of loads transmitted by shores and recorded ambient temperature. The effect of ambient temperature variation has been determined to be the key factor in load redistribution between constructional steps. Furthermore, new modified methods for the prediction of shore and slab loads are proposed to take into account the response of shores and columns to ambient temperature changes. These methods are based on previously developed Refined and Improved Simplified Methods. Finally, experimental and theoretical results have been compared. It is concluded that temperature variations are the determining factor in load redistribution between any two consecutive construction steps and that those redistributions can be adequately estimated by means of the new methods.