Strength characteristics of lightweight reinforced concrete deep beams with web openings

Abstract EN

The present experimental investigation reports test results of six lightweight reinforced concrete deep beams with web openings including a reference solid beam.

The used concrete in casting the specimens has a cylinder compressive strength of 32MPa.

The beams were tested to failure under two-point loads that lie at beams shear span to determine their shear strengths.

The main parameter considered in this investigation was the size of web openings.

Obtained test results showed a reduction in the beam shear strength relative to the increasing in the opening size.

Based on the experimental and obtained results, concluding remarks were drawn.

Owing to the obtained results, an experimental equation had been adopted and showed an accepted agreement with the authors specimens and the results of specimens available in literature.

Additionally, and owing to the observed crack patterns of tested beams, strut-and-tie models were generated and used to verify the experimental results.