The shear behavior of reinforced concrete wide beams was investigated. The experimental
program consisted of nine beams of 29 MPa concrete strength tested with a shear span-depth
ratio equal to 3.0. One of the tested beams had no web reinforcement as a control specimen. The
flexure mode of failure was secured for all of the specimens to allow for shear mode of failure.
The key parameters covered in this investigation are the effect of the existence, spacing, amount
and yield stress of the vertical stirrups on the shear capacity and ductility of the tested wide beams.
The study shows that the contribution of web reinforcement to the shear capacity is significant and
directly proportional to the amount and spacing of the shear reinforcement. The increase in the
shear capacity ranged from 32% to 132% for the range of the tested beams compared with the control
beam. High grade steel was more effective in the contribution of the shear strength of wide
beams. Also, test results demonstrate that the shear reinforcement significantly enhances the ductility
of the wide beams. In addition, shear resistances at failure recorded in this study are compared to
the analytical strengths calculated according to the current Egyptian Code and the available international
codes. The current study highlights the need to include the contribution of shear reinforcement
in the Egyptian Code requirements for shear capacity of wide beams. |
