Title:
Aggregate Interlock and Steel Shear Forces in the Analysis of RC Membrane Elements
Author(s):
Prodromos D. Zararis
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
94
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
159-170
Keywords:
aggregate interlock; biaxial loads; cracking (fracturing);
failure; reinforced concrete; steel shear forces; shear properties;
DOI:
10.14359/470
Date:
3/1/1997
Abstract:
The role of the aggregate interlock and steel shear forces in the failure analysis of reinforced concrete membrane elements is presented. Mechanisms for the development and function of the aggregate interlock and steel shear forces in reinforced concrete structural elements are proposed that are shown to be different than existing ones. Based on these mechanisms, a clear distinction between four modes of failure due to yielding of steel, occurring in orthogonally reinforced membrane elements, is obtained. It is shown that depending on the reinforcement and loading conditions a membrane element may fail either due to yielding only of the longitudinal reinforcement or only of the transverse reinforcement, or due to yielding of both reinforcements on the initial cracks or on a new ultimate crack. Moreover, using these mechanisms, the case of crushing of concrete before yielding of steel in membrane elements may be predicted. The theoretical results of this analysis are compared with existing experimental data of reinforced concrete membrane elements that were tested under various loading conditions. The theoretical and experimental results are found to be in excellent agreement.