Effect of non-uniform distribution of longitudinal reinforcement on the behavior of reinforced concrete horizontally curved beams with fixed-ends

Abstract EN

The aim of this article is to study the effects of non-uniform distribution of longitudinal reinforcements on the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) horizontally curved beams with fixed-ends under static loads to product an optimal strength of these beams without increasing the volume of longitudinal reinforcement.

Three dimensional nonlinear finite element analyses done utilizing computer program called NFHCBSL, incorporate 20-node isoparametric brick element used to represent the concrete elements while reinforcing bars are idealized as axial members embedded within the concrete elements without any relative displacement between them.

The results show that the effect of non-uniform distributions of longitudinal reinforcement of RC horizontally curved beams with fixed-ends is effective and can be used to improve the strength of this type of beams and its importance increases with increasing the angle of horizontal curvature (of beam.

The results proved that the optimal value of tapering ratio depends on, for and, the optimal tapering ratio obtained was equal to 7 which gives increment in the ultimate load of beam is equal to 14.5 %, while when the optimal value of tapering ratio is equal to 3 which gives increment in the ultimate load is equal to 27.5 %.

So, all optimal values of tapering ratio are compatible with the value of angle of strengthening the positive reinforcement (φ) = 0.75θ.