Investigation of aggregate interlock contribution to shear strength of reinforced concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete beams

Abstract

Shear strength in reinforced concrete (RC) beams, especially in steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams is a subject of great interest in structural engineering. In the case of beams without transverse reinforcement, the failure is explained based on a predefined crack pattern and kinematics, and the transfer of shear force accomplished through different mechanisms. Among these mechanisms, the aggregate interlock is present in most of the existing shear strength mechanical models in the literature, with divergences regarding its performance and preponderance. Thus, this paper focuses on evaluating the contribution of aggregate interlock throughout the critical crack formation process up to the ultimate load by performing bending tests on small-scale rectangular RC and SFRC beams without considering the effect of transverse reinforcement. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique is used to track the patterns of shear cracks and their associated kinematics by measuring the relative displacements of opening (w) and sliding (δ). A detailed description of the shear behavior of these beams is provided by quantifying the aggregate interlock using the simplified Walraven model. The results help to understand the level of contribution of the aggregate interlock, and the main differences between structural elements of concrete with and without steel fibers in the scope of the shear strength.