Investigating the reliability of shear strength equations in TS500 and ACI318-19

Abstract

Lateral loads (e.g., wind and earthquake loads) lead to shear forces as well as the axial loads and moments on the structural members. Although reinforced concrete (RC) columns are commonly assumed as slender members and are not expected to represent shear dominant response characteristics, experimental studies have shown that even slender columns have shear responses. Hence, in seismic design, the shear strength of columns must be accurately predicted to prevent shear failure of columns. Validation of Requirements for Design and Construction of RC structures (TS500) for shear strength calculation of RC columns by a broad range of test data has been neglected in the literature. In this study, 57 test results of rectangular RC columns were collected from available laboratory tests to verify the shear strength calculation approach in TS500. Additionally, a statistical comparison of results obtained from TS500 with Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI318-19) has been studied in this study. Maximum shear strength of RC columns obtained from the previously studied test data was compared with shear strengths calculated according to TS 500 as well as with the results obtained from ACI318-19. Comparisons are scrutinized in terms of shear-span-to-depth ratios, reinforcing ratios, material properties, and stirrup spacing as well as axial load ratios applied on top of the columns. Investigation of existing design equations reveals a significant difference in prediction. This study will be extended by adding further test results from the literature to provide crucial comments about the shear strength calculation of RC columns in TS500.