Deformations at flexural yielding of members with continuous or lap-spliced bars

Models are developed and calibrated for the moment, the chord rotation and the secant stiffness at flexural yielding of reinforced concrete beams, rectangular columns or walls and members of T-, H-, U- or hollow rectangular section, on the basis of a databank of tests on members with continuous bars. Criteria are developed for the identification of adverse shear effects on the yield moment. The models apply only to members whose yield moment is not reduced by shear effects. They employ simple, explicit expressions suitable for practical application without moment-curvature analysis. They are extended to members with bars lap-spliced starting at the end section. The effect of biaxial loading on member yielding is examined. Most of the models have been adopted in Eurocode 8, Part 3.