Transverse reinforcement contribution in shear – remarks from experimental research

The results of research for transverse reinforcement contribution in shear are presented in the article. Tests were made on the single span, simply supported beams. Resistance gauges were used to measure the strain on the stirrups at points crossing the artificial crack, formed with the thin, greased plate. Basing on the constitutive law for the stirrups steel derived in test, the force in stirrups was invented VEd,s. Such an attitude allowed to compare the force carried by stirrups VEd,s with the actual shear loading VEd. In the performed test made the stirrups contribution was between 52 and 72% of shear force. It was also noticed, that longitudinal reinforcement carried some transverse force as well. This ability is usually neglected in shear theories.