Effects of drying shrinkage of concrete on shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beam

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of drying shrinkage of concrete on shear tension strength of normal-strength reinforced concrete (RC) beam without web reinforcement, the loading test of RC beams was carried out. Major factors were the effective depth of 250, 500 and 1000mm as well as the concrete shrinkage. Twelve RC beams were prepared where half beams were sealed and the others were exposed to the air in a room to accelerate shrinkage. Test results showed that the drying shrinkage of concrete decreased the shear tension strength of RC beams as well as enhanced its size effect. Based on the results, a mechanism of the coupling effects of drying shrinkage and effective depth on the shear tension strength of RC beam was proposed. In addition, a concept based on equivalent tension reinforcement ratio incorporating the effect of drying shrinkage in concrete was effective in evaluating the shear tension strength.