Large Scale Tests on Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams with Web Openings

摘要

This report presents the results of tests on eight large scale reinforced concrete deep beams, having ultimate loads of up to 4840 kN. These beams, which are believed to be among the largest of their kind ever tested to destruction, were provided with rectangular web openings in the shear span. Four of the beams were made of normal weight concrete and four made of lightweight concrete. A simple mechanism for the deformation of the beams is postulated, which leads to an improved understanding of the effects of web openings and web reinforcement on the strength and serviceability of deep beams. It is shown that practical designs might be governed by serviceability rather than strength requirements, particularly for larger scale beams.