SIZE EFFECT ON STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS UNDER FLEXURE

Abstract

The objective of this study is to clarify the size effect on the mentioned structural performance of doubly reinforced concrete beams. A total of 16 specimens with four different scales are tested under a four-point-loading. In this experiment, effect of the amount of main reinforcement ratio and web reinforcement ratio on their structural performance is also investigated. Based on the results, it was verified that structural performance in termes of the strength and the deformability of RC beams are greatly influenced by their sizes. Non-linear flexural analysis incorporating Hillerborg's hypothesis was performed. Hillerborg introduced a model including in softening and strain localization of concrete under compression in explaining size effect on ductility.