Behaviour Of Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams

Abstract

The structural component in reinforced concrete structures having considerable depth as compared to the span is called a deep beam. Indian Standard specifies the beams with span to depth ratio less then 2 as simply supported deep beam. This paper investigates the behaviour of concrete deep beams with and without inclusion of steel fibres. Comparisons are made for the deep beams by dividing them into two categories and by varied span-to-depth ratio of beams within the respective category. Tests are carried out on eight reinforced concrete deep beams. All the beams are simply supported and tested under single point load. Beams without steel fibres are having adequate reinforcement, on the other hand, deep beams with 0.1% steel fibres are having lesser tension reinforcement. Deep beams are with different depths i.e. 500mm, 600mm, 700mm and 900mm and respectively. The loaddeflection, cracking pattern, modes of failure, strain behaviour etc. are studied for the beams. Results indicate that the addition of steel fibres reduces the cracking and deformation behaviour of control deep beams.