Delamination and structural response of RC thin shell in nuclear shield buildings with unanticipated construction openings*

This paper examines the structural response in a thin shell concrete dome with construction openings. The weight of the dome is carried in axial compression along the hoops and meridians of the dome. The openings interrupt the hoops and meridians and the dome’s weight must be redistributed around the openings; resulting in zones of increased compression near the opening. In the affected areas there is a significant difference between the compression on the top surface of the dome, and that on the bottom surface. The dome was cast in two layers. This study examines the potential for fracture (and thus delamination) as a result shear stress at the interface of the two layers. The stresses are largest around the opening. The shear capacity of the interface is determined by previous empirical studies of composite beams. The shear stresses in the dome with openings are not large enough to cause delamination.