• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.425-434
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• 2016

In this experimental study, six post-tensioned light weight concrete (LWC) continuous one-way slabs were tested in the following manner: the flexural behaviors of the members were compared with the calculations from the existing standards. The test also examined the effect of prestressing in tendons and proper prestress conditions to reduce the deflection and crack width, and to enhance the flexural capacity and ductility of LWC members. Flexural capacity and stress increments in unbonded tendons of the specimens were compared with those of the simply supported normal and the lightweight concrete members. The suggested safety limit from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) regulation on the maximum capacity and the stress incremental in unbonded tendons were also compared with the test results under simple and continuous supporting conditions.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.513-525
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• 2016

The resistance-demand approach has emerged as an effective approach for determining the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams. This approach is based on the fact that both the shear resistance and shear demand are correlated with flexural tensile strain from compatibility and equilibrium requirements. The basic shear strength, under a given loading is determined from the intersection of the demand and resistance curves. This paper verifies the applicability of resistance-demand procedure for predicting the shear capacity of high strength concrete beams without web reinforcement. A total of 18 beams were constructed and tested in four-point bending up to failure. The test variables included the longitudinal reinforcement ratio, the shear span to depth ratio, and the beam depth. The shear capacity of the beams was predicted using the proposed procedure and compared with the experimental values. The results of the comparison showed good prediction capability and can be useful to design practice.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.479-497
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• 2016

Many experimental studies have evaluated the in-plane behavior of reinforced concrete frames in order to understand mechanisms that resist progressive collapse. The effects of transverse beams, frames and slabs often are neglected due to their probable complexities. In the present study, an experimental and numerical assessment is performed to investigate the effects of transverse beams on the collapse behavior of reinforced concrete frames. Tests were undertaken on a 3/10-scale reinforced concrete sub-assemblage, consisting of a double-span beam and two end columns within the frame plane connected to a transverse frame at the middle joint. The specimen was placed under a monotonic vertical load to simulate the progressive collapse of the frame. Alternative load paths, mechanism of formation and development of cracks and major resistance mechanisms were compared with a two-dimensional scaled specimen without a transverse beam. The results demonstrate a general enhancement in resistance mechanisms with a considerable emphasis on the flexural capacity of the transverse beam. Additionally, the role of the transverse beam in restraining the rotation of the middle joint was evident, which in turn leads to more ductile behavior. A macro-model was also developed to further investigate progressive collapse in three dimensions. Along with the validated numerical model, a parametric study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the removed column location and beam section details on the progressive collapse behavior.