Flexural Behaviour and Validation of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Opening using Foundry Sand

Abstract

The provision of transverse openings in floor beams to facilitate the passage of utility pipes and service ducts results not only in a more systematic layout of pipes and ducts.it also translates into substantial economic savings, in the construction of a multi-storey building. Along with opening, the partial replacement of foundry slag sand with crushed stone is done which further reduces the cost of the beams. In order to obtain the optimum level of replacement, foundry slag sand is varied from 0-100% and tested under compressive strength for maximum strength. With help of ANSYS software, various shapes of openings, keeping equivalent area of cross section such as rectangular and provided at critical zone are modelled and analysed. To reduce stress concentration at corners of the openings, Special reinforcements are provided as per ACI specification. With that optimum shape experimental work is carried out. Where 3 beam were casted of size 2000*450*230mm and tested under loading frame with two pint loading and simply supported condition. The results obtained such as deflection, initial cracks, and ultimate failure load were compared with the beams without openings, with openings using foundry slag sand and without using foundry sand. Also comparison of analytical results with that of experimental results was carried out.