Effects of Web Height Reduction and Skew Angle Variation on Behavior of RC Inverted T-Beams

Abstract

The use of precast inverted T-beams has been frequently used to minimize construction activities and installation time. However, shipping and placement of large invert T-beams can become challenging tasks due to their weight. Decreasing the web height of the beam can be effective in reducing the beam weight. This paper considers inverted T-beams with two overhangs, negative moment regions, and one span, a positive moment region. The examined parameters were the web height and skew angle of the inverted T-beams. To avoid high costs of testing beams and to save time, the application of numerical modeling is, hence, inevitable. A calibrated 3D nonlinear numerical model, using ATENA software, was further used to numerically investigate the effects of reducing the weight, by decreasing the web height and varying the skew angle of inverted T-beams on their structural performance. The outcomes of this study indicated that reducing the web height of the beam was an effective tool to reduce the weight without jeopardizing the strength of the beams. Increasing the skew angle of the inverted T-beam also decreased their ductility.