Shear Strength of RC Members with High-Strength Concrete

The use of high strength concrete has been increasing in the construction of high-rise earthquake resistant buildings in Japan. However, design guidelines have not been fully developed for reinforced concrete buildings with concrete compressive strengths higher than 35.3 MPa. Therefore the Japanese Building Research Institute initiated "New RC Project" aimed at establishing design guidelines for buildings constructed using high strength concrete. The project started in 1988 and extensive research has been conducted at several research institutes and universities. Shear tests on beams and columns with high strength concrete were also conducted as part of program to establish the shear design method for them. This paper summarizes findings from the New RC tests and others on shear strength of reinforced concrete beams and columns with high strength concrete and high strength shear reinforcement. The accuracy of currently available shear strength equations are then examined. The shear design method proposed by the Shear Working Group of the New RC project is also introduced in this paper.