Shear Strength of Simply- or Rigidly-Supported RC Beams with Various Design Variables

Abstract

An experimental study was performed to systematically investigate the variation of shear strength of simply- or rigidly-supported RC beams with various design variables. In this study, the tensile reinforcement ratio, load applying condition, end supporting condition, shear span to depth ratio, and prestressing force were selected as the main variables. Twenty RC beams without shear reinforcement were tested under monotonic loading, and the influences of the main variables on shear strength were analyzed with shear force-displacement relationships and failure modes. The test results indicated that the shear strength of RC beams increased as the tensile reinforcement ratio, the number of loading points, the compressive force, or the initial prestressing force increased. However, it decreased as the shear span to depth ratio increased. The influence of the end supporting condition on the shear strength of specimens was not significant. The test results were compared with the predicted values provided by design codes and existing model equations.