Abstract
The mechanism of diagonal tension failure of RC linear members without shear reinforcement, which is difficult to be clarified by means of both experimental and analytical approach, is presented. In this study, the close relationship between the failure modes and the transferred stresses along a diagonal crack is disclosed. The experimental results on diagonal tension failure are verified by finite element method in which the influence of a splitting crack and dowel action are considered. In RC linear members without shear reinforcement, diagonal crack width increases owing to occurrence of a splitting crack along tension reinforcement. As a result, the transferred stresses along the diagonal crack decrease, and the diagonal crack grows rapidly. Finally diagonal tension failure is caused by compressive failure at the tip of the diagonal crack.
