Generalized softened variable angle truss model for RC hollow beams under torsion

Abstract

In recent studies, a new softened truss model called Generalized Softened Variable Angle Truss Model (GSVATM) has been proposed to compute the full torsional response of reinforced concrete (RC) rectangular solid beams under pure torsion. In this article, the GSVATM is extended to cover RC hollow beams under torsion. The modification of the calculation procedure, in order to account for the specific behavior of RC hollow beams for low loading levels, as well as the final solution procedure, is presented. The theoretical predictions from the extended GSVATM are compared with experimental results of RC hollow beams under torsion found in the literature. Good agreement is observed between the experimental and theoretical results, for both high and low loading levels.