Torsional capacity investigation of reinforced concrete beams with different configurations of welded and unwelded transverse reinforcement

Abstract

AbstractAn experimental study is carried out to test 25 reinforced concrete (RC) beams in order to investigate the torsional behavior of the beams using welded and unwelded transverse reinforcement. Four different transverse reinforcement configurations were considered: ordinary, continuous circular spiral, continuous rectangular spiral, and continuous advanced rectangular spiral configuration. Welded configuration includes welding the hoops to the longitudinal reinforcement at their intersections. Three different spacing of 200, 150, and 100 mm were used. The experimental torsional capacity results are compared with the theoretical values determined by the ACI 318–14 code, Eurocode‐2, fib model code2010 and other available equations in the literature. The results showed that the welding effect varies based on the transverse reinforcement configuration and spacing and the maximum improvement in the ultimate torsional capacity of RC beams is obtained in the specimens made with continuous circular spiral stirrups. Furthermore, the ACI‐318, Eurocode‐2, fib model code2010 and other equations available in the literature are generally conservative in predicting the ultimate torsional strength of welded and unwelded RC beams with continuous transverse reinforcement but the predicted torsion moments obtained using Eurocode‐2 and fib model code2010 are closer to the test results.