| Abstract |
This research presents the test results of a special designed and a
conducted experimental study. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the
performance of T-beams with thick and wide flanges in compression for
instance the cap beam. Most of the present design codes as ACI 318-14 and
ECP-203 ignore the contribution of the flanged part on RC flanged beams in
shear resistance. The studied variables were about flange dimensions
(thickness and width) and reinforcement (longitudinal and/or vertical).
Nineteen simply supported beam specimens were tested to failure under a
load configuration made of two concentrated loads. Eighteen specimens had
T-shaped cross sections, while one specimen had rectangular cross section for
comparison purposes. The items monitored during testing included the
development of diagonal cracks, concrete strains, reinforcement strains,
maximum loads, and deflections. Test results showed that the shear capacity
of T-beams was with a notable increase compared to that of rectangular
beams with the same web size. For T-beam specimens without transverse
reinforcement in their webs, the flange increased the shear strength by up to
160% to 330% of the shear strength of the web alone.
The percentage increased in the shear strength due to flange existence
which varied depending on flange dimensions and amount of longitudinal
reinforcement in flange. In addition, test results were compared to the
prediction of a simple model that included the contribution of flange to shear
capacity in T-beams [2], where good agreement was observed. A simplified
method to include the flange contribution in evaluating the shear strength of
flanged beams is proposed and verified by numerous comparisons with test
results and finite element predictions. Moreover, statistical analysis for
comparison of the proposed method with the code formulation and F.E.
results.
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