BEHAVIOR OF TOP LOADED SIMPLY SUPPORTED DEEP BEAMS WITH SQUARE WEB OPENINGS USING INTERNAL GFRP-BARS

Abstract

The current investigate research is conducted to examine the influence of GFRP-bars on the behavior of deep beam under top loading. The main objective of this search is to investigate and evaluate the behavior of top loaded simply supported deep-beams with square web openings experimentally and theoretically by using internal GFRP-bars. The main used parameters are strength of concrete, opening position, horizontal and vertical web reinforcement ratios, and additional reinforcement around openings as a ratio and shape. The primary stage is the experimental program, the second stage is theoretical analysis by Strut and Tie Model (STM) and generation of finite element model (FEM) using ABAQUS/CAE2017 program and verify its results with the experimental results, and the third and last stage is the parametric study, which used to develop a design equation and design guidelines. In the experimental stage, ten specimens were tested. The effect of strength of concrete, opening position, vertical and horizontal web reinforcement ratios, and additional reinforcement around openings as a ratio and shape-were investigated. The contribution of strengthening-method to the shear capacity, displacement, and mechanisms of failure for the specimens were studied. In the second stage, Strut and Tie Model was used to investigate the ultimate load capacity of test specimens and three dimensional nonlinear finite element model was generated using ABAQUS/CAE2017 program to investigate the shear failure mechanism of test specimens. The validity of the generated finite element-models was compared with the experimental-results of this study.