Nonlinear finite-element analysis of RC beams with various opening near supports

Abstract

Abstract The structural integrity of a reinforced concrete (RC) beam could be compromised by the need for web holes for utilities like air conditioning and electricity. In places with high shear loads, these voids may appear near the columns supporting the structure. The impact of web openings close to the supports on the behavior of RC beams is inspected numerically in this article. Four-point loads were applied to the supports of seven RC beams with holes of varied sizes and locations. The crack patterns and deflections of the seven beams were analyzed in comparison to those of a solid RC beam without an aperture. The goal of the experiment was to verify that all simulation procedures were accurate and complete. The numerical analysis results showed that the experimentally tested failure load was in excellent consent with the numerical results. Therefore, the finite-element approach is a particularly reliable technique for exploring the nonlinear behavior of beams with multiple apertures, both from the perspectives of difficulty and time savings. Analytical and code equations were used to compare the measured load–deflection magnitude and shear strength of the examined RC beams to their prophesied values. The test findings demonstrated that the shear load capacity of RC beams was reduced by as much as 24.9% as compared to a solid beam, as shown by testing results. The shear load capacity for small-size openings was less than the solid beam by 12.8, 21.1, and 21.6%, while for the biggest openings by 34.6, 29.5, and 34.2% when taking the distance from the support 0, 100, and 200 mm.