Experimental investigation of flexural performance of T-section prefabricated cage reinforced beams with self-compacting concrete

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the usability of the prefabricated cage reinforcement system (PCS) as an alternative to the conventional reinforcement system in beams with self-compacting concrete under flexural loads. Within this framework, flexural performances of PCS reinforced T-section beams (TPCS) and conventional reinforced T-section beams with the same equivalent reinforcement areas were compared. The flexural performances of 12 T-section beams (6 TPCS and 6 conventional reinforcements) were compared. 2 different cross section dimensions were used and samples were analyzed in 3 groups based on equivalent reinforcement areas. The prefabricated cage reinforcement was manufactured by cutting steel tubes through a computer-assisted laser system. A 4-point bending test was used to determine the flexural performances of the beam samples. The effects of section size and reinforcement ratio on flexural performance were examined. Load capacities, failure mechanisms, energy absorption capacities, moment-displacement relations, and ductility ratios of the samples were analyzed. According to the results, the load capacities of TPCS samples were higher by 11.70% to 45.67% compared to the samples with conventional reinforcement. Besides, the energy absorption capacities of TPCS samples were higher than conventional reinforcement samples. As a result of the experimental study, it is evaluated that PCS increases the flexural capacity and ductility ratio of beams and can be used instead of conventional reinforcement in T-section beams.