TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 1, 2001

Diagonal Shear Failure and Size Effect in RC Beams without Web Reinforcement

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 127, Issue 7

Abstract

This paper describes a formal theory, which explains the mechanism of shear failure in reinforced concrete (RC) ordinary (slender) beams without web reinforcement. The theory determines the type of splitting of concrete responsible for the diagonal shear failure of beams under concentrated loads and the location along the shear span where this splitting occurs. A simple expression is derived for the shear stress at failure as the product of the ratio of the neutral axis depth to the effective depth of beam times the splitting tensile strength of concrete. It is also shown how the nominal shear strength can be adjusted to take into account the size effect. The derived formula from this analysis is verified by comparisons to extensive sets of experimental data from the literature, which have been obtained on slender beams with various strengths of concrete (low and high), steel ratios, shear span to depth (a/d) ratios, and geometrical sizes.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 127Issue 7July 2001
Pages: 733 - 742

History

Received: Feb 24, 2000
Published online: Jul 1, 2001
Published in print: Jul 2001

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Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 540 06, Macedonia, Greece.
Dr. Eng. of Civ. Engrg., Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 540 06, Macedonia, Greece.

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