Abstract
Abstract This report presents a computational research on Eurocode 2 (EC2) tension lap lengths (lo) design in a normally reinforced concrete beam, using ANSYS Workbench simulation software program by simulating a laboratory 4-point beam loading test system under static loading(discrete model approach). A typical 4-point laboratory setup loading system was modelled using an innovative and sustainable Finite Element Analysis (FEA) approach. In order to investigate the EC2 tension lap lengths (lo) design recommendation, a total of 100 analysis cases of lap lengths were considered for different reinforcement bar diameters of 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm and 25mm. The study has considered beam failure types, effects of failure load on the various lap length reduction cases and effects of steel reinforcement bar size changes on the design lap lengths. The analysis of results revealed that the yield strength of steel (fyk), diameter of tension reinforcement bar, (db), tensile strength of concrete (fctd) and concrete cover (cd) are the main parameters for a tension lap length design according to EC2. While a linear relationship exists between tension steel reinforcement bar sizes (db) and the obtained lap lengths (lo). The study reveals a potential use of 15% and 20% reduction in lap length (lo) for tension steel reinforcement bar sizes of 10mm, 16mm and 12mm and 20mm in comparison with the recommended design lap length of EC2. It was concluded that EC2 tension lap length design recommendation is conservative.
Highlights
The flexural capacity of a reinforced concrete beam with lapped joints within a tension reinforcement under load with respect to the bond between concrete and the reinforcement is a real source of concern as it is very important to the overall strength and safety of the reinforced concrete beam (Cairns, J., 2016)
The relationship between reinforcement bar diameter and tension lap length shows that a linear relationship exists between the reinforcement bar diameter and the lap length
This means that for every increase in steel reinforcement bar sizes, there is a corresponding increase in the obtained tension lap length for a reinforced concrete beam
Summary
The flexural capacity of a reinforced concrete beam with lapped joints within a tension reinforcement under load with respect to the bond between concrete and the reinforcement is a real source of concern as it is very important to the overall strength and safety of the reinforced concrete beam (Cairns, J., 2016). Several factors have been attributed to the failure of the lap joints such as inadequate concrete cover, bond between concrete and reinforcement, lap lengths, concrete compressive and tensile strength (Lagier et al, 2015) This identified factors are in line with the requirements as specified by Eurocode 2. Recently questioned by several researchers through laboratory experiments with many claims of over design (8% more than lap length required) in analysis leading to a marginal increased cost of construction for the designed structure (Cairns T., 2016; Cairns and Eligehausen., 2014) This prompted a closer consideration into the tension lap length required for a reinforced concrete beam by EC2.
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