Effect of Shear Span to Effective Depth Ratio on the Behavior of Self-Compacting Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams Containing Openings Strengthened with CFRP

Abstract

Results of test on seven simply supported self-compacting reinforced concrete deep beams, including six of these beams containing circular openings in center of load path are reported in this paper. The objective of the tests was determined the influence of, changing shear span to effective depth ratio a/d, the existence of circular openings in shear span and using inclined strips of carbon fiber polymer (CFRP) on behavior of deep beams. The general trend in crack pattern, the load-deflection response, and the mode of failure of reinforced SCC deep beams were also investigated. All specimens had the same geometry, details of the flexure and shear reinforcement in both vertical and horizontal directions and they were tested under symmetrical two-point loads up to failure. The experimental results revealed that the web openings within shear spans caused an important reduction in the deep beam capacity by 50% when compared with the corresponding solid beam. The increase a/d ratio from 0.8 to 1.2 decreases the ultimate load by 21.7% and 22.5 % for the reference unstrengthened beam and strengthened beam, respectively, also it was found that the externally inclined CFRP strips in deep beams increased the ultimate strength up to 39.5%, and enhanced the stiffness of deep beams with openings.