Force transfer mechanisms for reliable design of reinforced concrete deep beams

摘要

In this paper, a strut-and-tie model approach has been proposed to directly calculate the amount of reinforcements in deep beams, and the force transfer mechanisms for this approach were investigated using linear finite element analysis. The proposed strut-and-tie model provides quite similar force transfer mechanisms to the results of linear finite element analysis for the 28 deep beams. The load-carrying capacities calculated from the proposed method are both accurate and conservative with little scatter or trends for the 214 deep beams. The deep beams have different concrete strengths including high-strength, various combinations of web reinforcements, and wide range of and a/d ratios. Good accuracy was also obtained using VecTor2, nonlinear finite element analysis tool based on the Modified Compression Field Theory. Since the proposed method provides a safe and reliable means for design of deep beams, this can serve to improve design provisions in future adjustments and development of design guidelines.