Title:
Poisson Effect in Reinforced Concrete Membrane Elements
Author(s):
Ronnie R. H. Zhu and Thomas T. C. Hsu
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
99
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
631-640
Keywords:
reinforced concrete; shear; strain
DOI:
10.14359/12303
Date:
9/1/2002
Abstract:
Reinforced concrete shear elements behave very differently before and after cracking. The Poisson effect before cracking is characterized by the well-known Poisson’s ratio, but after cracking is characterized by two Hsu/Zhu ratios. In the postyield range, the Hsu/Zhu ratio n12 (tensile strain caused by perpendicular compressive strain) was found to be a constant of 1.9, and the Hsu/Zhu ratio n21 (compressive strain caused by perpendicular tensile strain) was measured to be zero. This study describes the experiments performed to measure these two Hsu/Zhu ratios, which provide the basis for the establishment of the softened membrane model (SMM). This new theory, reported in a companion paper, can predict the entire shear stress versus shear strain curves of membrane elements, including the postpeak descending branches.