Title:
Experimental Validation of Minimum Flexural Reinforcement for Thick High-Strength Concrete Plates
Author(s):
E. Rizk and H. Marzouk
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
108
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
332-340
Keywords:
ductility; minimum flexural reinforcement; offshore applications; size effect; thick plates
DOI:
10.14359/51682349
Date:
5/1/2011
Abstract:
With the extensive use of thick concrete plates for offshore platforms and nuclear containment structures, the empirical building codes formulas for minimum flexural reinforcement ratios seem to provide excessive reinforcement. The current research has a main objective to establish experimental data for minimum reinforcement of normal-strength concrete (NSC) and high-strength concrete (HSC) plates with a thickness of 200 mm (8 in.) and greater. Ten full-scale quarter panels, NSC and HSC slab-column connections having small ratios of flexural reinforcement, were tested under flexural loading. The main test variables included concrete compressive strength, reinforcement ratio, and slab effective depth. ACI 318-08 does not contain a size effect factor; the new formula to calculate the minimum flexure reinforcement for thick HSC plates suggested by the authors was examined. Based on the experimental test results, it was concluded that ACI 318-08 overestimates the minimum reinforcement ratio required for thick concrete slabs greater than 200 mm (8 in.).