Openings Effect on the Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Loaded in Bending and Shear

Authors

  • F. El Ame Civil Engineering Department, Pan African University, Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Kenya
  • J. N. Mwero Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • C. K. Kabubo Sustainable Materials Research & Technology Centre, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Abstract

Transverse openings are often provided to reinforced concrete beams to accommodate utility ducts and pipes. This technique is usually adopted to avoid the creation of dead space in structures caused by extended dropped ceilings and leads to significant cost saving. On the other hand, the provision of openings through a beam creates a reduction in its strength and affects serviceability. In this study, ten reinforced concrete beams were cast using C30 concrete. Material characterization and engineering properties tests were carried out to ensure compliance with the requirements provided by the codes of practice. The effect of vertical positioning and size of openings was investigated through subjecting the beams to a four-point bending test after 28 days of curing. Maximum load capacity, first cracking load, and deflections at mid-span were recorded and crack pattern and failure mode were evaluated. Test data showed that openings of depth greater than 0.4d significantly affect the beams’ strength and lead to earlier cracking, while the failure mode remains essentially the same, a diagonal tension crack through the opening except for opening of 0.5d size where the failure occurred by a sudden formation of two independent shear cracks above and below the opening. When holes were located above the centroid of the section, the beams exhibited a lesser deflection characterized by the absence of plastic deformation. Furthermore, a significant reduction in strength was recorded compared to cases where the positioning of openings was in tension chords. This was validated using equations from the ACI code of reinforced concrete design.

Keywords:

circular openings, RC beams, opening size, vertical location, four-point bending test, strength, serviceability

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References

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How to Cite

[1]
El Ame, F., Mwero, J.N. and Kabubo, C.K. 2020. Openings Effect on the Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Loaded in Bending and Shear. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research. 10, 2 (Apr. 2020), 5352–5360. DOI:https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.3317.

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