This paper presents an analysis of the results of five tests conducted on four reinforced concrete beams. The tests were performed principally to investigate the mechanics of internal shear transfer in a transversely loaded concrete beam with no shear reinforcement. Test specimens consisted of simply supported wide beams with steel flexural reinforcement. The reinforcement for two of the beams was epoxy coated. The shear span to depth ratios were 2.93, 3.32, and 3.81. Measured strains on the reinforcement were used to divide the total shear into its beam and arching action components. In all tests, beam and arching action shear transfer mechanisms were found to coexist. Apart from that with the longest span, all tests ended with rupture of the concrete along a diagonal failure surface. It is concluded that shear failure may be caused by a shift in the internal mechanics of shear transfer from beam action to arching action. Because this shift may be initiated by the yielding of reinforcement, it can be associated with the formation of a plastic hinge. There was no observed effect on the mechanics of shear transfer that could be attributed to epoxy coating of the reinforcement.Key words: arching action, beam action, one-way shear, shear transfer, reinforced concrete beam, bond forces, bar force gradient.
Alternative mathematical modeling for plastic hinge of reinforced concrete beam
