Because the methodology is entirely different, the results between the load history calculations will sometimes differ from the long-term deflections plotted on the strip. It is common for the load history deflections to be larger or smaller than the strip based long-term deflections. Some of the primary differences are outlined here.

Several aspects of load history deflections that can cause them to be larger than strip based long-term deflections are:

• Redistribution of forces is considered, which can lead to a more realistic prediction of cracking in the structure. Cracking in one region can lead to increased forces in adjacent regions (either laterally or along the span) which can in turn lead to additional cracking throughout the structure.
• Stresses induced in the uncracked concrete due to shrinkage being restrained by the reinforcement or by specifying a Shrinkage Restraint % are considered in the cracking and tension stiffening calculations.

Several aspects of load history deflections that can cause them to be smaller than strip based long-term deflections are:

• Compression reinforcement is always considered, whether the cross section is actually cracked or not. Uncracked transformed properties are used where the cross section is not cracked.
• Load history is taken into consideration. If the maximum load is not sustained through the duration of the calculation, the load history calculations will take this into consideration.