Experimental analysis of the concrete contribution to shear strength beams without shear reinforcement

There are many theories and empirical formulas for estimating the shear strength of reinforced concrete structures without transverse reinforcement. The security factor of any reinforced concrete structure, against a possible collapse, is that it does not depend on the tensile strength of the concrete and the formation of any collapse is ductile, thus giving advance warning. The cracking from tensile stress can cause breakage of the concrete and should be avoided at all cost, with the intent that any such breakage does not incur any type of failure within the structure. In the present research study, experiments were performed in order to analyze the complementary mechanisms of the shear strength of lattice beams of reinforced concrete frames without transverse reinforcement. The experimental program entails the testing of eight frames that were subjected to a simple bending process. Two concrete resistance classes for analyzing compressive strength were considered on the construction of frames, 20 MPa and 40 MPa. To resist the bending stresses, the beams of the frames are designed in domain 3 of the ultimate limit states. Different rates and diameters of longitudinal reinforcement were used, 1.32% and 1.55% with 12.5 mm diameter and 16.0 mm in longitudinal tensile reinforcement. From the obtained results, an analysis was made of the criteria already proposed for defining the norms pertinent to the portion of relevant contribution for the shear resistance mechanisms of concrete without the use of transverse reinforcement and the influence of the concrete resistance and longitudinal reinforcement rates established in the experimental numerical results.