Abstract
This research aims to clarify the shear resistance mechanism of RC T-beams. The static bending tests were conducted for RC T-beams with the various shear span ratio and shear reinforcement ratio. The experimental shear capacities of all T-beams exceeded that of calculation by ignoring the flange width. The enhancement of the shear capacity due to the compression flange was larger in the smaller shear span ratio. In addition, T-beams with the different shear span ratio showed the different cracking behavior related to the continuity of the cracks at the web and the flange. Furthermore, this study proposes the evaluation method of the shear resistance in the arch action with the strains of the tensile bars at the support. Comparing with the rectangular beams, the T-beams with the same shear reinforcement ratio showed the larger shear resistance in the arch action at the peak load. The beam action was easy to disappear with the wider stirrup spacing.
