Flange Contribution to the Shear Strength of RC T-Beams with Flange in Compression

As is well known, in the current design codes, shear strength of beams calculated based on modified truss theory, which does not consider effects flange area T-beams. The main objective this paper was to gain a better understanding and enhance experimental database behavior RC T-beams illustrate contribution capacity To accomplish aim, specially designed program executed, its test results were analyzed. investigated variables dimensions (thickness width) reinforcement (longitudinal and/or vertical). Nineteen simply supported beam specimens tested failure under load configuration made two concentrated loads. Eighteen had T-shaped cross-sections, while one specimen rectangular cross-section for comparison purposes. items monitored during testing included development diagonal cracks, concrete strains, maximum loads, deflections. Test showed notable increase compared with same web size. For range investigated, increasing thickness-to-beam depth ratio (ρt) from 0.3 0.5 increased by up 54%. In addition, width-to-web width (ρb) 3 5 19%. It also shown that three-dimensional finite element (FE) analyses using ANSYS reasonably all specimens. Finally, FE results, simplified method accounts proposed.