Effect of Large Openings on the Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Continuous Deep Beams under Static and Repeated Load

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the behavior of the existence of large openings on reinforced concrete continuous deep beams (RCCDBs) under static and limited cycles of repeated load. The experimental work included testing seven RCCDBs. One of these beams was solid subjected to static load, while the other beams having external shear spans, internal shear spans, and mid-span openings subjected to static and fifteen cycles of repeated loading. The range of the repeated loading was varied between a lower level and an upper level, equal to 30 and 70 percent, respectively, of the ultimate load of the beam subjected to static load. All test specimens were tested under five-point bending. For beams with large openings, 160×160 mm (which represents 40% of the overall depth of the section) openings were created symmetrically at various locations. Experimental results showed that the maximum ultimate loads of beams with large openings were decreased by about 36% for beams with large openings locating at interior shear spans compared to a solid beam. However, the maximum reduction in ultimate load of the beam with a large opening subjected to repeated load was about 6%.