Contribution to the design of prestressed hollow core purlins without transverse reinforcement

Abstract The hollow core purlin is a structural element resulting from the sectioning of hollow core slabs into two ribs. This component can be classified as a prestressed hollow core beam without transverse reinforcement. Although this solution offers potential for increasing the productivity of precast concrete element factories, it currently lacks normative guidelines due to the high risk of shear failure. The aim of this study is to highlight an equation to underpin the design of hollow core purlins based on experimental verification. To achieve this objective, six samples of hollow core purlins were analyzed. Initially, the manufacturing characteristics and cross‐sectional geometry of each piece were observed to gather data on the production process. Subsequently, positive bending tests were conducted to characterize stiffness and determine the effective mean tensile strength. Later, shear strength tests were performed to identify the failure mechanisms of the elements. In parallel, the prestressing forces, stiffness, tensile strength, cracking moment, calculated shear strength using the flexural‐shear mechanism, and verification of shear strength due to diagonal tension were computed based on concrete compressive strength values and data provided by the manufacturer. Finally, the experimental values obtained were compared with the theoretical calculated values to establish a correlation that highlights the calculation procedure that best represents the behavior of the studied elements.