Tests of high-strength concrete deep beams

Abstract

This study reports the test results of 16 high-strength concrete deep beams. Loads on the deep beams were transferred downwards between the columns to simulate real structures. The main variables studied were the shear span-to-depth ratios, and the parameter of horizontal and vertical stirrups. The test results indicate that the shear strengths of deep beams increase with decreasing shear span-to-depth ratio. The shear strengths can be significantly enhanced for deep beams with both horizontal and vertical stirrups. The shear strengths of deep beams with horizontal stirrups are higher than those of deep beams without horizontal stirrups. The normalised shear strengths of deep beams are not affected by the effective depth; the size effect on the normalised shear strength is not pronounced. A method for determining the shear strengths of deep beams is proposed.