Title:
One-Way Shear Strength of Thick Slabs and Wide Beams
Author(s):
Edward G. Sherwood, Adam S. Lubell, Evan C. Bentz, and Michael P. Collins
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
103
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
794-802
Keywords:
beams; reinforced concrete; slabs; temperature reinforcement
DOI:
10.14359/18229
Date:
11/1/2006
Abstract:
While the basic expression for one-way shear in ACI 318-05 is the same for narrow beams, wide beams, and slabs, an engineer is permitted to design to higher shear stresses in the latter two cases before shear reinforcement is mandated. There is concern that these current provisions can be unconservative when applied to thick slabs or large, wide beams. This paper discusses nine recent tests designed to investigate these concerns. Member width was observed to have no significant effect on the shear stress at failure for one-way slabs and for wide beams. Further, the presence of shrinkage and temperature reinforcement did not influence the one-way shear capacity. Based on the experimental results and related narrow slab strip tests from the literature, the paper concludes that the ACI 318-05 shear provisions can result in inadequate levels of safety for both thick slabs and large wide beams.