Analysis of Shear Force Transfer Mechanism of Reinforced Concrete Beams Without Stirrups

doi:10.12141/j.issn.1000-565X.250066

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate the variation in shear force transfer mechanisms of reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups, 9 rectangular-section and 27 T-section RC beams without stirrups were designed, fabricated, and tested. Displacements and strain data were collected using digital image correlation (DIC), displacement transdu-cers, and strain gauges. Kinematic images of critical shear cracks were plotted, and the contributions of four shear transfer mechanisms—aggregate interlock, dowel action, residual tensile stress across cracks, and shear resistance of the uncracked compression zone—were quantified throughout the loading process. The evolution of these mechanisms during loading was analyzed. The results indicate that the number, development, and height of shear cracks exhibit a complex coupling effect on the four shear force transfer mechanisms; aggregate interlock generally reaches its maximum contribution at approximately 0.9 P_u (where P_u is the peak load), and its calculated shear resistance varies little with the shear-span ratio; however, its proportional contribution decreases as the shear-span ratio decreases; dowel action remains relatively stable throughout loading, yet its relative contribution diminishes as the overall shear capacity increases. Residual tensile stresses across cracks contribute primarily in the early loading stage and diminish to zero at peak load due to full crack development. The shear capacity provided by the uncracked compression zone is influenced by multiple factors, most notably the shear-span ratio—the shear capacity in beams with small shear-span ratios can be more than twice that in beams with large shear-span ratios. At peak load, aggregate interlock is the dominant shear force transfer mechanism in beams with larger shear-span ratios. However, as the shear-span ratio decreases, the contribution of the uncompressed concrete zone increases rapidly and becomes the predominant mechanism.

Key words: reinforced concrete beams without stirrups, shear failure, aggregate interlock, dowel action, residual tensile stress across cracks, uncracked compression zone

CLC Number:

TU375.1

FU Chongyang, XIONG Ergang, LI Sifeng, LIU Fengwei, YU Jiatong. Analysis of Shear Force Transfer Mechanism of Reinforced Concrete Beams Without Stirrups[J]. Journal of South China University of Technology(Natural Science Edition), 2025, 53(12): 82-93.

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