Deformation responses of reinforced concrete beams under pure torsion

Abstract

The experimental programme that is the focus of this report dealt with twelve beams cast in three groups: Normal Concrete (NC), High Strength Concrete (HSC), and Self Compacting Concrete (SCC). The applied loads, resulting torsional moments, angles of twist and longitudinal strains are listed in Tables and presented in graphs, to aid discussion. The results of the practical work revealed that increasing the compressive strength of a section increases the stiffness of a beam, thus decreasing the angle of twist markedly. Increasing the steel fibre content in a section similarly decreases the value of the angle of twist of the beam, as well as resulting in an increase in stiffness. Increasing the compressive strength of a section also increases the stiffness of a beam, thus decreasing the longitudinal strain. While increasing the steel fibre content in a section decreases the value of longitudinal strain on all beams, resulting in an increase in stiffness, the highest improvement (100%) was seen in the HSC group.