Numerical investigation on DE-strengthened-RC beams without steel shear reinforcement

Abstract

This study presents a two-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model for Deep Embedment (DE) strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams without existing steel shear links. The FE model was developed and validated against experimental results reported in published literature. The parametric study was thereafter conducted to examine important parameters influencing the strengthened behavior. The parameters were concrete compressive strength, beam width, beam size, and tension reinforcement ratio. The FE model accurately predicted experimental results with a mean predicted-to-experimental value of 1.04. The FE results showed that the percentage of shear strength provided by embedded steel bars was almost constant once both concrete strength and tension reinforcement ratio were increased. However, an increase in the beam width resulted in a decrease in the percentage of shear strength gain due to embedded steel bars. Shear stress at failure decreased once beam size was increased for both unstrengthened (control) and DE-strengthened beams. The percentage of shear strength provided by embedded steel bars decreased from 47.9% to 27.6% as effective depth was increased from 261.5 mm to 523 mm.