A Computational Study of the Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams Affected from Alkali–Silica Reactivity Damage

Abstract

In this study, an investigation of the shear behavior of full-scale reinforced concrete (RC) beams affected from alkali–silica reactivity damage is presented. A detailed finite element model (FEM) was developed and validated with data obtained from the experiments using several metrics, including a force–deformation curve, rebar strains, and crack maps and width. The validated FEM was used in a parametric study to investigate the potential impact of alkali–silica reactivity (ASR) degradation on the shear capacity of the beam. Degradations of concrete mechanical properties were correlated with ASR expansion using material test data and implemented in the FEM for different expansions. The finite element (FE) analysis provided a better understanding of the failure mechanism of ASR-affected RC beam and degradation in the capacity as a function of the ASR expansion. The parametric study using the FEM showed 6%, 19%, and 25% reduction in the shear capacity of the beam, respectively, affected from 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% of ASR-induced expansion.

Contribution of steel fibers to the flexural and shear behavior of RC beams damaged by alkali‐silica reaction

“…Differences in stiffness of RC beams with and without ASR damage were also reported without effects on the ultimate load 47 . The shear behavior of RC elements damaged by the development of ASR was studied by different authors 48–52 ; some research works indicate that the shear capacity is reduced as the ASR expansion takes place 53 . However, there are few studies on the effect of fibers on the shear response of damaged RC 54,55 ; further studies in this area are needed.…”

“…47 The shear behavior of RC elements damaged by the development of ASR was studied by different authors [48][49][50][51][52] ; some research works indicate that the shear capacity is reduced as the ASR expansion takes place. 53 However, there are few studies on the effect of fibers on the shear response of damaged RC 54,55 ; further studies in this area are needed. Finally, although the presence of fibers does not prevent ASR, it reduces the expansions (especially when steel fibers are used).…”