Shear Behavior of Web Element in PSC Beams Incorporated with Arch Action

Abstract

It is well known that axial tension decreases the shear strength of RC & PSC beams without transverse reinforcement, and axial compression increases the shear resistance. What is perhaps not very well understood is how much the shear resistance capacity is influenced by axial load. RC beams without shear reinforcement subjected to large axial compression and shear may fail in a very brittle manner at the instance of first diagonal cracking. As a result, a conservative approach should be used for such members. According to the ACI Code, the shear strength in web is calculated by effect of axial force and the vertical force in the stirrups calculated by 45° truss model. This study was performed to examine the effect of axial force in reinforced concrete beams by nonlinear FEM program (ATENA-2D).