Experimental investigation of tension stiffening in RC ties

Abstract

The increasing application of high-performance materials in civil engineering led to the development of reinforced concrete (RC) structures with reduced cross sections and increased spans. In such structures serviceability limit state often becomes the governing condition of the design. Present study investigates the deformation behaviour of high-strength RC ties reinforced with high-grade bars. Experimental investigation was carried out measuring the postcracking stiffness of the specimens at high strain levels. It was found that, despite the reduction in stiffness, a considerable part of the average tensile stresses were carried by the concrete at the advanced loading stages, thus effectively stiffening the RC member.