Effect of Support Conditions on Strut-and-Tie Model of Deep Beams with Web Openings

摘要

Reinforced concrete deep beams have useful applications in tall buildings and foundations. Over the past two decades, numerous design models for deep beams were suggested. However even the latest design manuals still offer little insight into the design of deep beams in particular when complexities exist in the beams like web openings. A method commonly suggested for the design of deep beams with openings is the strut-and-tie model which is primarily used to represent the actual load transfer mechanism in a structural concrete member under ultimate load. In this study, the development of the strut-and-tie model is transformed to the topology optimisation problem of continuum structures. The influence on the strut-and-tie model in relation to different support conditions of deep beams is examined herein. In total, five deep beams with openings, each under two concentrated loads, are compared in three groups. The comparison is made based on different support conditions, as well as different locations and sizes of web openings.