Abstract
Using the hoop tie ratio in the beam as the parameter, experiments were conducted on three specimens that model RC rigid piers. All specimens caused shear damage at their beams after forming a plastic hinge at four locations. It was found that the hoop tie ratio in the beam did not affect the maximum bearing capacity, but had large effect on the deformation capacity. FEM analysis also showed the decrease of shear resistance of concrete due to the increase of deformation.
