1

Journal of Engineering Sciences

Assiut University
Faculty of Engineering
Vol. 44
No. 1
January 2016
PP. 1 – 26

EFFECT OF SHEAR SPAN TO DEPTH RATIO

ON THE STATICAL BEHAVIOR OF HSCB
SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADING
Abd El Rahman Megahid 1, Mohamed M. Rashwan 2,
Mohamed Mahmoud 3 and Amr Abd El Aal *, 4
1, 2, 3
staff in Civil Eng. Department, Faculty of Engineering, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
4
Civil Engineer, Assiut University, 2009.
Received 26 November 2015; Accepted 10 December 2015

ABSTRACT
Many researches were carried out to investigate the properties and structural performance of
high strength concrete for many decades. While these researches have produced relevant and useful
results, there are several properties of high strength concrete like compressive and tensile strengths,
stiffness, durability, modulus of rupture, cracking shear load and ultimate load that need to
investigate to determine an accurate evaluation of beams made of high strength concrete.
This study investigates the effect of shear span-depth ratio (a/d) on the statical behavior of HSCB
subjected to transverse loading. The effect of shear span to depth ratio includes some main mutual factors
such as grade of concrete and stirrups spacing. The studied statical behavior includes: evaluation of
pattern of cracks, modes of failure, concrete and steel strains, maximum deflection, flexural cracking load
(Pcr), modulus of rupture, cracking shear load (Vcr) and finally ultimate load (Pu).
For this purpose, an experimental test program was performed which included testing twenty
four large scale simply supported rectangular high strength concrete beams under one concentrated
transverse load at mid span. The values of the main factors were; the shear span to depth ratio (a/d)
were taken (3, 2, 1.5 and 1), the cube compressive strength (fcu) were (575, 766 and 890) kg/cm2and
the stirrups spacing were (20, 14.28, 11.11and without stirrups) cm, while the longitudinal
reinforcement was kept constant for all tested beams.
For all tested beams, max. Deflections, strains in the longitudinal reinforcement, and strains in
concrete were measured and recorded. Also, the initiation and propagation of cracks were recorded.
Cracking patterns and failure modes were observed. Cracking and failure loads were recorded. The
test results were compared with different codes and formulas.
Based on this, conclusions were drawn out for induced measured maximum deflection, steel and
concrete strain, the cracking load the modulus of rupture, shear cracking load and ultimate load for
beams with and without stirrups. In addition, ultimate shear load for beams without stirrups utilizing
different code provisions was predicted and compared with the obtained test results.
Keywords: high strength concrete, shear span-depth ratio (a/d), compressive strength.
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1. Introduction
A worldwide use of high strength concrete during the last decade and an expansion in the
material technology has made it possible to design concrete having superior mechanical
properties and structural behavior. High strength concrete has become an economical
solution and found its application in a number of concrete structures, the most common
applications being the columns of high rise buildings, long span bridges, longer spans for
beams or fewer beams for a given span length and offshore structures. It will be more and
more frequently used in columns, as well as in precast elements. Many researchers have
conducted investigations on the behavior of structural elements constructed of high strength
concrete. However, analysis of these revealed that findings are inconsistent.
While use of high strength concrete has accelerated, the progress in development of
revised design standards have not progressed at the same rate. Acceleration is due to its
enhanced mechanical properties and better structural performance as compared to normal
strength concrete. Also High Strength Concrete offers economy and superior performance
in terms of strength and long-term behavior.
High strength concrete (HSC) is a relative term and has changed its meaning with time and
the increase in the productivity of concretes with higher strengths. According to ACI 318-08 code
and ACI 363-R, HSC is defined as concrete with strength more than (41.1) MPa or greater.
HSC have been achieved with Reactive Powder Concrete, which made of powders with
no aggregate. These advances have been made possible by two major developments: the
introduction of high range water-reducing admixtures (super plasticizers) and the use of
silica fume. The admixtures allow the production of workable concrete mixtures with very
low water-cement ratios, and the silica fume can produce cement paste with very low
porosity, which increases the strength of both the paste and the interface between the paste
and the coarse aggregate, this leads the cracks to propagate through coarse aggregate
particles rather than around them. However an increase in the strength of the concrete
produces an increase in its brittleness and smoother shear failure surfaces, leading to some
concerns about the application of HSC.
HSC is usually proportioned with a low water-to cementations materials ratio. The
supplementary cementations materials may include blast furnace slag, fly ash, or silica
fume, which are used either as cement replacement or as additives to the concrete mixture.
The Silica fume has the big role to improving the properties of hardened concrete.
In spite of the many investigations of properties of HSC, controversy still remains with
regard to some vital design issues such as serviceability requirement of deflection,
modulus of rupture, shear strength, ductility, cracks and the effect of shear span –depth
ratio on the modes of failure of R.C. Beams.
2. Experimental work
Twenty four reinforced high strength concrete beams were cast. All beams were simply
supported and loaded with concentrated transverse load at the mid span and applied at the
top of the Beams. The test program was designed to include the main parameters affecting
the general behavior of high strength of tested beams. The main parameters were: Shear
span- depth ratio, (a/d=3, 2, 1.5 and 1), three target concrete compressive strengths of (500,
700, and 900) kg/cm2 were used, and the stirrups spacing were (5Ø8/m’, 7Ø8/m’, 9Ø8/m’
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

and without stirrups), which are equivalent in centimeters (20, 14.28, 11.11and without
stirrups) cm respectively.
All beams have rectangular cross sections of width (b=200 mm) and effective depth
(d=559 mm). The longitudinal steel reinforcement percentage was kept constant (ρ =0.54
%), it consisted of three bars each of diameter 16 mm having high tensile steel grade
(40/60). The stirrups were made from ordinary mild steel with grade (24/35) having
diameter of 8 mm. Two steel bars each of diameter 10 mm made of high tensile steel with
grade (40/60) were used as stirrup hangers. Details for the chosen reinforced concrete
beams having the included studied parameters are given in table (1).
Table 1.
Details of the tested beams
Shear Main Stirrups
Group Beam fcu L
a/d span steel Spacing ρ% 𝜌𝑣 %
No. No. (kg/cm2) (cm)
(cm) (cm)
B1-1 3 335 167.5
B1-2 2 224 112 20
G1 575 3ɸ16 (5Ø8/m’) 0.54 0.25
B1-3 1.5 167 83.5
B1-4 1 112 56
B2-1 3 335 167.5
B2-2 2 224 112 20
G2 766 3ɸ16 0.54 0.25
B2-3 1.5 167 83.5 (5Ø8/m’)
B2-4 1 112 56
B3-1 3 335 167.5
B3-2 2 224 112 20
G3 890 3ɸ16 0.54 0.25
B3-3 1.5 167 83.5 (5Ø8/m’)
B3-4 1 112 56
B4-1 3 335 167.5
B4-2 2 224 112 14.28
G4 766 3ɸ16 0.54 0.35
B4-3 1.5 167 83.5 (7Ø8/m’)
B4-4 1 112 56
B5-1 3 335 167.5
B5-2 2 224 112 11.11
G5 766 3ɸ16 0.54 0.45
B5-3 1.5 167 83.5 (9Ø8/m’)
B5-4 1 112 56
B6-1 3 335 167.5
B6-2 2 224 112 Without
G6 766 3ɸ16 0.54 0.00
B6-3 1.5 167 83.5 stirrups
B6-4 1 112 56

2.1 Materials
2.1.1 Concrete mixes design
Concrete mixes used to produce high strength concrete are given in table (2).
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Table 2.
Concrete Mix Proportions
Coarse
Silica Fine Super
Cement aggregate Water Slump
Grade fume aggregate Plasticizer w/c
(kg/m3) (Basalt) (liter/m3) (cm)
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) (Liter/m3)
(kg/m3)
500 450 50 591 1182 12.5 143 0.318 16

700 500 85 565 1130 15 138 0.276 14

900 500 110 554 1108 18.5 135 0.27 14

The constituent materials were:

1- Ordinary Portland cement, its properties agreed with ECP 203.
2- Crushed Bazalt; the used crushed basalt was 20 mm nominal max. size, 2.66
specific gravity, and 1.72 t/m3 volume weight.
3- Local sand natural desert sand which has a specific gravity and volume weight of 2.5
and 1.68 t/m3 respectively.
3- Potable water was used.
4- Superplastisizer; the used additive was Addicrete BVF having a density of 1.15 t/m3.
6- Silica fume (SF) is a by-product of the melting process used to produce silicon metal
and ferrosilicon alloys. In this study, Silica fume was produced by Egyptian Ferro-
Alloys Company (EFACO). The main characteristics of SF are its high content of
amorphous (SiO2) not less than 95%, mean particle size of 0.1 – 0.2 micron, the
specific gravity is 2.2, and the bulk density undensified (as produced) and densified
about 300 kg/m3 and (480 to720) kg/m3 respectively.
7- Steel Reinforcement: High tensile steel grade (40/60) having diameters 16 mm and 10
mm were used for longitudinal main steel and stirrups hanger, respectively. The stirrups
were made from ordinary mild steel with grade (24/35) having diameter of 8 mm.
2.2 Test procedure
All beams were tested after 28 days of casting under one concentrated transverse load
and the beams were simply supported on two rigid supports, one support is roller to avoid
restraint to the elongation of the bottom of fibers of the beams as load was applied, steel
bearing plate (10 x 25 x 1.25 cm) was placed on each support to avoid bearing crush. The
available hydraulic testing machine at Assiut University (500 tons) was used in testing all
beams. The load was applied in increments of 1.0 ton at the beginning of the test until the
first crack was observed then, the load increments were taken 2.0 tons until the final
failure. The load was kept constant between every two successive increments for about 2
minutes to allow the measurement of the deflections and strains. During this period, the
mid span max. Deflection was recorded, readings of strain gauges for longitudinal main
steel and concrete compression extreme fibers were recorded, and cracks propagation was
traced. After completion of the test, the beam was photographed to show the crack
patterns. Test setup and arrangement and details of tested beams are shown in fig. (1).
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2.3. Instrumentation and measurement

Deflection was measured under the loading point using dial gauge with accuracy of 0.01 mm
having a maximum range of 50 mm. It was placed at the position of mid span for each beam.
Electrical resistance strain gauges were used to measure the steel and concrete strains.
Strain gauges with 10 mm length type (KFG) were used to measure the strain of
longitudinal reinforcement and strain gauges with 67 mm length type (KC) were selected
to measure the compressive strain of concrete.

Fig. 1. Details of tested beams

3. Test result
3.1 Crack patterns and modes of failure
The crack patterns and mode of failure are evaluated for the tested reinforced high strength
concrete (HSC) beams. Twenty four high strength concrete one span simply support beams
were tested under static loading. The modes of failure, flexure cracking load, the diagonal
cracking loads and ultimate load of the tested beams are summarized in table (3).The modes of
failure were given also in table (3) and illustrated through from fig.(2)to fig.(25).

Fig. 2. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B1-1) having fcu=575 kg/cm2 and a/d=3

Fig. 3. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B1-2) having fcu=575 kg/cm2 and a/d=2

Fig. 4. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B1-3) having fcu=575 kg/cm2 and a/d=1.5
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Fig. 5. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B1-4) having fcu=575 kg/cm2 and a/d=1

Fig. 6. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B2-1) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=3

Fig. 7. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B2-2) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=2

Fig. 8. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B2-3) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1.5

Fig. 9. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B2-4) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1

Fig. 10. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B3-1) having fcu=890 kg/cm2 and a/d=1
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

Fig. 11. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B3-2) having fcu=890 kg/cm2 and a/d=2

Fig. 12. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B3-3) having fcu=890 kg/cm2 and a/d=1.5

Fig. 13. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B3-4) having fcu=890 kg/cm2 and a/d=1

Fig. 14. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B4-1) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=3

Fig. 15. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B4-2) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=2

Fig. 16. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B4-3) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1.5
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Fig. 17. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B4-4) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1

Fig. 18. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B5-1) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=3

Fig. 19. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B5-2) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=2

Fig. 20. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B5-3) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1.5

Fig. 21. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B5-4) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1

Fig. 22. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B6-1) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=3
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

Fig. 23. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B6-2) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=2

2
Fig. 24. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B6-3) having fcu=766 kg/cm and a/d=1.5

Fig. 25. Typical pattern of cracks for beam (B6-4) having fcu=766 kg/cm2 and a/d=1
Table 3.
Results of the beams tested under transverse static loading
Flexure Shear
fcu Stirrups cracking cracking Ultimate
Group Beam Failure type
kg/c spacing a/d load load load (Pu)
No. No. and mode
m2 (cm) (Pcr) (Vcr) Ton
Ton Ton
B1-1 3 11 11 26 Flexure
B1-2 2 16 13 42 Flexure
G1 575 20 Shear
B1-3 1.5 20 16 60
tension
Shear
B1-4 1 28 22 96
compression
B2-1 3 13 12 28 Flexural
B2-2 2 17 15 44 Flexural
G2 B2-3 766 20 1.5 21 18 62 Flexural
Flexural-
B2-4 1 31 25 108
shear
B3-1 3 15 12 28 Flexural
B3-2 2 19 17 46 Flexural
G3 890 20 Shear
B3-3 1.5 23 21 68
compression
Shear
B3-4 1 34 27 112
compression
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Flexure Shear
fcu Stirrups cracking cracking Ultimate
Group Beam Failure type
kg/c spacing a/d load load load (Pu)
No. No. and mode
m2 (cm) (Pcr) (Vcr) Ton
Ton Ton
B4-1 3 13 11 28 Flexural
B4-2 2 18 15 46 Flexural
G4 B4-3 766 14.28 1.5 21 19 66 Flexural
Shear
B4-4 1 32 25 112
tension
B5-1 3 12 12 26 Flexural
B5-2 2 17 16 48 Flexural
G5 B5-3 766 11.11 1.5 21 19 68 Flexural
Shear
B5-4 1 31 26 114
compression
Shear
B6-1 3 13 11 22
tension
Shear
B6-2 2 18 14 42
tension
without
G6 766 Shear
B6-3 stirrups 1.5 21 18 60
tension
Shear &
B6-4 1 32 23 96 anchorage
failure
3.2 Load-deflection relations
The maximum measured deflections of the tested beams at bottom surface of mid span
section are plotted versus the applied load from zero loading up to failure in fig. (26) to fig. (31).

Fig. 26. Load-Deflection relationship for beams of group (G1) having fcu=575kg/cm2
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

Fig. 27. Load-Deflection relationship for beams of group (G2) having fcu =766 kg/cm2

Fig. 28. Load-Deflection relationship for beams of Group (G3) having fcu =890 kg/cm2

Fig. 29. Load-Deflection relationship for beams of group (G4) having fcu=766 kg/cm2
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Fig. 30. Load-Deflection relationship for beams of group (G5) having fcu=766 kg/cm2

Fig. 31. Load-Deflection relationship for beams of group (G6) having fcu=766 kg/cm2
3.3 Induced strains in the longitudinal tension main steel reinforcement
Fig.(32) to fig.(37) show the relation between the applied load and induced maximum
tensile strain of main steel reinforcement for all tested beams. It was observed that the steel
strain increased as the applied load increased up to failure.

Fig. 32. Load-Steel strain relationship for beams of group (G1) having fcu=575 kg/cm2
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

Fig. 33. Load-Steel strain relationship for beams of group (G2) having fcu=766 kg/cm2

Fig. 34. Load-Steel strain relationship for beams of group (G3) having fcu=890 kg/cm2

Fig. 35. Load-Steel strain relationship for beams of group (G4) having fcu=766 kg/cm2
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Fig. 36. Load-Steel strain relationship for beams of group (G5) having fcu=766 kg/cm2

Fig. 37. Load-Steel strain relationship for beams of group (G6) having fcu=766 kg/cm2
3.4 Load-concrete strain diagrams
Fig.(38) to fig.(43) show the relation between the applied load and induced maximum
concrete strain for all tested beams, measured at mid span section at the top of the beam. It
was observed that the concrete strain increased as the applied load increased up to failure.

Fig. 38. Load-Concrete strain relationship for beams of group (G1) having f cu=575 kg/cm2
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

Fig. 39. Load-Concrete strain relationship for beams of group ( G2 ) having f cu=766 kg/cm2

Fig. 40. Load-Concrete strain relationship for beams of group (G3) having f cu=890 kg/cm2

Fig. 41. Load-Concrete strain relationship for beams of group (G4) having f cu=766 kg/cm2
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Fig. 42. Load-Concrete strain relationship for beams of group (G5) having f cu=766 kg/cm2

Fig. 43. Load-Concrete strain relationship for beams of group (G6) having fcu=766 kg/cm2
4. Discussion of test result
This item describes and interprets the analysis of the obtained test results of the HSC
beams. The analysis includes the relationship between the value of flexural cracking load,
shear cracking load and ultimate loads, deflection, concrete strain; and steel strain for
tested beams. The values of the experimental measured parameters of tested beams are
shown in fig. (2) to fig (43).
4.1 Effect of shear span to depth ratio
4.1.1 With respect to pattern of cracks and modes of failure
In the early stages of loading, no flexural cracks were observed in the region of bending
moment at the mid span of the beam or shear cracks in the shear span as the applied load
increased. With further increase of load , flexure cracks formed first at the mid span ,then
diagonal cracks formed in the shear span and developed towards the loading point in
bending moment area leading to the different modes final failure which is mainly affected
by the shear span to depth ratio according to the following cases:-
4.1.1.1 In case of both constant concrete compressive strength and stirrups spacing
From table (3), it is obvious that the failure modes were varied between flexural, shear
tension and shear compression. For beams having a/d = 3 and 2, flexural failure occurred
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Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

except for all beams in group (G6) where in shear failure was noticed, and the most
common failure for beams having a/d=1.5 and 1 was diagonal tension failure accompanied
with compression failure .The cracking and the ultimate loads increase as shear span to
depth ratio (a/d) decreases from 3 to 1. This is due to the load transfer mechanism turning
from beam action to arch action. As shear span to depth ratio (a/d) decreases, distance
from load point to support also decreases and the slope of the cracks become steeper.
4.1.1.2 In case of variable concrete compressive strength with constant stirrups spacing
The higher the compressive strength, the higher is the initial crack load. Also, it is
noticed that, the number of cracks and their widths increases in low compressive strength
concrete beams. This is due to the increase in tensile strength with the increase of the
concrete compressive strength. Decreasing of stirrups spacing has more significant effect
on ultimate load, cracks number and width as shear span to depth ratio decreases.
4.1.1.3 In case of variable stirrups spacing with constant concrete compressive strength
For beams in groups (G2, G4, G5 and G6) having the same concrete compressive
strength and different stirrups spacing; as stirrups spacing decreases the number of cracks
decreases, while beams in (G6)shows fragile and sudden failure.
4.1.2 With respect to values of flexural cracking load (Pcr) and ultimate load (Pu)
4.1.2.1 In case of both constant concrete compressive strength and stirrups spacing
Flexural cracking load (Pcr) increases as shear span to depth ratio decreases. This is
related to the load transfer mechanism, as the shear span to depth ratio decreased, a part of
the load is transmitted directly to the support by compression strut (arch action), in addition
to, the moment decrease which leads to decrease the tension stresses at the extreme bottom
fibers . It is clearly shown in fig. (44). Also, it is noticed that, the value of the ultimate load
increases as the value of the shear span depth ratio (a/d) decreases, see fig.(45).

Fig. 44. Effect of the shear span to depth (a/d) ratio on the cracking load (p cr)
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Fig. 45. Effect of the shear span to depth (a/d) ratio on the Ultimate load (P u)
4.1.2.2 In case of variable concrete compressive strength with constant stirrups spacing
Concrete compressive strength showed a significant effect in cracking load value.
Increasing concrete compressive strength leads to reducing the proportion of voids and
permeability between cement granules due to using silica fume, as a result tensile stress is
increased, see fig. (46).The value of the ultimate load ( Pu ) slightly increases as concrete
compressive strength increases for all tested beams having (a/d =3, 2 and 1.5) except
beams having a/d=1 which failed in shear, it shows significant effect on ultimate load
values as concrete compressive strength increases, see fig.(47) .

Fig. 46. Effect of the concrete compressive strength on the cracking load

Fig. 47. Effect of concrete compressive strength on (Pu) value for groups (G1, G2, and G3)
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4.1.2.3 In case of variable stirrups spacing with constant concrete compressive strength
From table (3), it is noticed that for beams having web reinforcement ,decreasing in
stirrups spacing in the specimens beam of Groups ( G2, G4, andG5)didn’t show improving
in the tensile strength of the concrete. Also, beams without web reinforcement in group
(G6) have no distinct clear effect on the results. It was clearly shown in fig. (48).
From table (3), it is also obvious that ultimate load values decreases with the increase of
spacing of stirrups. The effect of stirrups spacing on ultimate load becomes more
significant as the beams become shorter. Significant increasing of ultimate load for beams
having (a/d = 1) and failed in shear. High strength concrete with stirrups showed less
fragile response than similar beams without reinforcement. For beams with the same
geometric amount of stirrups, the higher their compressive strength, the more effective
stirrups are. The effect of stirrups amount on the ultimate load were plotted in fig. (49).

Fig. 48. Effect of stirrups Spacing on the flexural cracking load for beams having fcu=766kg/cm2

Fig. 49. Effect of stirrups spacing on (Pu) value for beams of groups (G2, G4, G5, and G6)
4.1.3 With respect to values of shear cracking load (Vcr)
4.1.3.1 In case of both constant concrete compressive strength and stirrups spacing
The value of (Vcr) decreases with the increase in (a/d). As (a/d) decreases, the slop of
the crack becomes steeper. At the same loading level greater crack widths were observed
in beams having higher (a/d), this is because cracks form in the shear span regions at
places of high moments which are towards the applied concentrated loads. The relation
between experimental shear cracking load (Vcr) and (a/d) ratio was plotted in the fig. (50).
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4.1.3.2 In case of variable concrete compressive strength with constant stirrups spacing
From table (3), it is obvious that for a given shear span to depth ratio (a/d), the value of the
cracking shear load (Vcr) increases as the value of the concrete compressive strength increases.
This due to the increment in tension properties of the concrete, this notice is plotted in fig. (51).
4.1.3.3 In case of variable stirrups spacing with constant concrete compressive strength
The value of the cracking shear load (Vcr) for beams with and without stirrups did not
greatly affected by the spacing of stirrups. See fig.(52).

Fig. 50. Effect of (a/d) ratio on the shear cracking load for beams of groups (G1, G2 and G3)

Fig. 51. Effect of concrete compressive strength on the shear cracking load for groups (G1, G2 and G3)

Fig. 52. Effect of stirrups spacing on (Vcr) value for beams of groups (G2, G4and G5)
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4.2 Comparison between the experimental results of shear cracking load (Vcr)
with that given by different available equations
The aim of this part is to make a comparison between the obtained results and those
proposed in ACI 318-code and available equations proposed by researchers such as Zsutty,
Rebeiz, Shin et al. and Ahmed Samir equations.
ACI 318 code equation [1]
𝑉𝑢𝑑
𝑉𝑐𝑟 = [. 156√𝑓𝑐 ′ + 17.2 𝜌 𝑀𝑢
]∗ 𝑏𝑤 𝑑 (N, mm) (1)

Zsutty’s equation [4]

1
𝑑 3
𝑉𝑐𝑟 = 2.1 (𝑓𝑐′ 𝜌 𝑎) ∗ 𝑏𝑤 𝑑 (N, mm) (2)

Rabeiz’s equation [2]

𝑑
𝑉𝑐𝑟 = [. 4 + √𝑓𝑐′ 𝜌 𝑎 ∗ (2.7 − .4𝐴𝑑 )] ∗ 𝑏𝑤 𝑑 (N, mm) (3)

Shin’s et al. equation [3]

1
𝑑 0.5
𝑉𝑐𝑟 = 2.6(𝑓𝑐′ 𝜌)3 ( ) ∗ 𝑏𝑤 𝑑 (N, mm) (4)
𝑎

Ahmed Samir equation [5]

𝑑 0.6
𝑉𝑐𝑟 = 2.88 (𝑓𝑐′ 𝜌 ).3 ( ) ∗ 𝑏𝑤 𝑑(N, mm) (5)
𝑎

The comparison of the experimental results with ACI [1] Eq. (1), Zsutty [4] Eq.(2),
Rebeiz [2] Eq. (3), Shin et al. [3] Eq. (4)and Ahmed S. [5] Eq. (5) reveals that (a/d) ratio
significantly affects the shear cracking load of high strength concrete beams . For (a/d=2)
all the aforementioned equations showed good value of shearing cracking load. ACI Eq.
showed the best prediction values of shear cracking load for all groups of beams, but for
(a/d=1.5) a lower values of shear cracking load were observed using ACI and Zsutty
equation. On the other hand, Rebeiz, Shin et al. and Ahmed S. equations still show
conservative values of shear cracking load. Most of the equations underestimated the shear
cracking load at lower a/d ratio (a/d=1) except Ahmed S. equation, it was closer and was
fair to experimental values for all (a/d) ratios. These results were clearly plotted in curves
from fig. (53) to fig. (58).
22
JES, Assiut University, Faculty of Engineering, Vol. 44, No. 1, January 2016, pp. 1 – 26

Fig. 53. Comparison between Vcr(exp)and Vcr(cal) for beams of group (G1)

Fig. 54. Comparison between Vcr(exp) and Vcr(cal) for beams of group(G2)

Fig. 55. Comparison between Vcr(exp) and Vcr(cal) for beams of group (G3)
 23
Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

Fig. 56. Comparison between Vcr(exp) and Vcr(cal) for beams of group(G4)

Fig. 57. Comparison between Vcr(exp)and Vcr(cal) for beams of group(G5)

Fig. 58. Comparison between Vcr(exp) and Vcr(cal.) for beams of group (G6)
5. Conclusions
Based on the obtained test results and their analysis, the following conclusions and
recommendations may be drawn out:
1- The maximum measured deflection increases, with the increase of shear span to
depth ratio, where the beam becomes flexible and the effect of the arch action of the
beam decreases. In addition, the maximum deflection decreases with the increase of
24
JES, Assiut University, Faculty of Engineering, Vol. 44, No. 1, January 2016, pp. 1 – 26

concrete strength due to the increasing of the flexural stiffness of the beam. The
stirrups spacing have a slight significant effect on the load- deflection relationship.
2- The maximum induced main steel strain decreases directly with decreasing the
(a/d) ratio while it increases with the increase of concrete strength (f cu), but, it
decreases by decreasing stirrups spacing.
3- The maximum concrete strain decreases with the increase of shear span to depth
ratio and increases with the increase of concrete strength (fcu), and slightly
increases with the decrease of stirrups spacing.
4- Flexural cracking load (Pcr) increases as shear span to depth ratio decreases. This is
related to the load transfer mechanism; as the shear span to depth ratio decreased a
part of the load is transmitted directly to the support by compression strut (arch
action), and increases with increase concrete compressive strength. Meanwhile
stirrups spacing have no distinct clear effect on the cracking load value.
5- The value of shear cracking load (Vcr) decreases with the increase in (a/d) and
increases as the value of the concrete compressive strength increases. On the
other hand, shear cracking load value didn’t greatly affected by the spacing of
stirrups, it just shown a slight increment for beams having small a/d ratios.
6- Ahmed S. [5] eq.(5) showed to be the most good prediction for evaluating the
value of shear cracking load for all the tested beams with and without stirrups, it
was closer and was conforms fairly with experimental values for all (a/d) ratios.
7- The ultimate load value increases as the value of the shear span depth ratio (a/d)
decreases due to the fact that a part of the load is transmitted directly to the support
by compression strut (arch action) and the slope of the cracks become more steep.
8- The value of the ultimate load (Pu) has a slight increase as concrete compressive
strength increases for beams having a/d=3, 2 and 1.5, but for beams having a/d=1
which mainly failed in shear, it showed significant effect on ultimate load values
as concrete compressive strength increases.
9- The effect of stirrups spacing on the ultimate load value becomes more significant as
the beams become shorter. Significant increasing of ultimate load for beams having
a/d = 1 and failed in shear was recorded. High strength concrete beams with stirrups
showed a less fragile response than similar beams without web reinforcement.
10-It is recommend that further researches are required to illustrate the effect of
shape of reinforced concrete beams cross-section, say T-section or L-section as
affected by shear span to depth ratio having different grades specially for HSC.
6. Notations
a = Shear span (mm)
b = Beam width (mm)
fcu= Cube compressive strength (kg/ cm2)
V u = Ultimate shear load (T)
ρ = Longitudinal main steel reinforcement ratio, (As / b d)
fc '= Concrete cylinder compressive strength (N/ mm2)
Vcr(exp) = Load at which first shear cracking occurs (at shear span) (T)
Pu = The experimental ultimate load (T)
Pcr = Load at which first flexural cracking occurs (bottom of mid span) (T)
M u,Vu = Factored moment and shear
 25
Amr Abd El Aal et al., effect of shear span to depth ratio on the statical behavior of HSCB……

REFERENCES
[1] ACI Committee 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318–08)
and Commentary (318R– 02), American Concrete Institute, 2008.
[2] Rebeiz, K. S., “Shear Strength Prediction for Concrete Members,” ACI Structural Journal,
Vol. 125, No. 3, pp. 301-308, March 1999.
[3] Shin, S., Lee, K., Moon, J., and Ghosh, S. K., “Shear Strength of Reinforced High-Strength
Concrete Beams with Shear Span-to-Depth Ratios between 1.5 and 2.5,” ACI Structural
Journal, Title no. 96-S61, pp. 549-556, July-August 1999.
[4] Zsutty, T. C., “Beam Shear Strength Prediction by Analysis of Existing Data,” ACI
Structural Journal, Proceedings V. 65, No. 11, pp. 943-951, Nov. 1968.
[5] Ahmed Samir Abdalla “Shear Strength of High Strength Concrete Beams” M.Sc. thesis,
Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, 2005.
‫‪26‬‬
‫‪JES, Assiut University, Faculty of Engineering, Vol. 44, No. 1, January 2016, pp. 1 – 26‬‬

‫تأثير نسبة بحر القص الى العمق على السلوك االستاتيكي للكمرات‬
‫الخرسانية ذات المقاومة العالية والمعرضة الى تحميل مستعرض‬
‫الملخص العربى‬
‫‪ ‬تتناال ه هاالر الة االلة معا ااة ربعة ااة وع بااة سيااة ال تعااةم عا نة اخعتااال ر اانبة را ال ة اال ة‬
‫البلل ة العقل رة الهدف الةئ عي ر هلا البحث هو معا ة تاثي ة عابة حاة القاى الا سعار الاعاةم‬
‫سة العةوك اخ تلت اي لةاعةات البلل ة العقل رة لعل له ر أهع ة خلصاة سةا تحد اد اا اخ ه الع‬
‫رواضع تاوال الية خ لخضلفة ال تثي ة تغ ة عتباة ال ة ال ة الععالفلت ا الال الت سةا اا‬
‫اخ ه لع تاوال الية خ اتعلسهل العقل رة الق وى لهل‪.‬‬
‫‪ ‬جع ع الاعةات تا ت ان بهل را ال ة ال ة سلل اة العقل راة بات عتاة ر تةواة تتاةا ا ‪500,700‬‬
‫‪ 900‬تج ‪ . 2 /‬جع ع الاعةات ت اختبلعهال ربعة ال تا اخال ا ل الت التاةخ سناد رنت ا البحاة‬
‫عاابة اخ وبااله الحاالمل فااي الحد ااد الةئ عااي العااوةي سنااد رنت ا البحااة تاالل ا وبااله ال ة اال ة‬
‫الحلمل في رننقة الضغط ت عصاد تااوال ا ه اةخ فاي الاعاةات فاي رننقاة اخ حنال تالل ا ه‬
‫ااةخ فااي رننقااة القاى تتبااع رعاالعاتهل الا الااد ل اخ ه االع تا تااد اخالعااله العناال ةم لتاااو‬
‫ا تيلع الية خ سة جل ة الاعةات أالعله اخ ه لع ‪.‬‬
‫أهم النتائج المستخلصة من هذا البحث وهي‬
‫ز د ز لمم عبة حة القى ال سعر الاعاةم بلا ت جاة لقةاة تاثي ة فبا القاو‬ ‫التةخ اخا‬ ‫‪-1‬‬
‫سة ق الحع لةةتلئز ‪.‬تعل اال التةخ ق ز المم رقل راة ال ة ال ة لخضالفة الا ا اه تا ر الا‬
‫الال لت‪.‬‬ ‫جوم تثي ة طو سة التةخ تقة الععلفلت‬
‫تق ا عة اخ وبله في الحد د الةئ ع بل رع تقة ت ر عبة حاة القاى الا البعار الععالفة‬ ‫‪-2‬‬
‫الال لت تعل أ ه ز د ز لمم رقل رة ال ة ل ة لةضغط‪.‬‬
‫تق ا عة اخ وباله فاي ال ة ال ة ز المم عابة حاة القاى الا سعار الاعاةم تازمام ز المم رقل راة‬ ‫‪-3‬‬
‫ال ة ل ة لةضغط‪.‬‬
‫تز د ا عة الع هوع ا ه ةخ (الع التية خ) في رننقة اخ حنل تةعل اةت عبة حة القى الا‬ ‫‪-4‬‬
‫سعر الاعةم بلة عة طة قة ق الحع ماخ الاعةم ال ث نتق جز ر الحع س طة ر فبا‬
‫الضلغط ال الةتلئز ربل ةم تالل ز اد العا التياة خ ز المم رقل راة ال ة ال ة لةضاغط‬ ‫القو‬
‫لتحع خلص ة اليد في ال ة ل ة ‪ .‬لخضلفة ال أال تقع ط الععالفة ا الال الت لا لاه تاثي ة سةا‬
‫الع التية خ ال ث أال الال لت فبللة فقط بد هلا الحع ‪.‬‬
‫ا عاة العا أ ه اةخ لةقاى تقا ز المم عابة حاة القاى الا سعار الاعاةم تز اد ز المم رقل رااة‬ ‫‪-5‬‬
‫الال لت‪.‬‬ ‫ال ة ل ة خ تتثية تقة الععلفلت‬
‫العبلملة الععتنتجة ر اب ‪ Ahmed Samir‬خ تنتلج ا عة هوع ا ه ةخ لةقى أ هةت توافقال‬ ‫‪-6‬‬
‫رع الق العبعة ة لجع ع الاعةات الع تبةم ال لت د ال تل لت‪.‬‬
‫تز د ا عة الحع اخا ا تةعال اةات عابة حاة القاى الا سعار الاعاةم تالل تز اد المم طو واة‬ ‫‪-7‬‬
‫ز لمم عتبة ال ة ل ة لق ‪.(a/d)>1‬‬
‫ابا أتةاة فلسة اة تةعال اصابحت الاعاةم‬ ‫تثي ة تقة ا الععالفلت ا الال الت سةا الحعا اخا ا‬ ‫‪-8‬‬
‫أا ة اةت عبة حة القى الا سعار الاعاةم ‪.‬تعال اال الاعاةات بات الال الت أصابحت أاا ال ة اة‬
‫لةاعة العولجئ ر الاعةات د ال تل لت ‪.‬‬