Structural and physical evaluation of a reinforced beam using strain gauges

Abstract

In this research project,the deformations in the longitudinal and transverse reinforcing steel of a reinforced concrete beam with 2ϕ½” were estimated.Additionally,the displacements in thecenter of thespanweremeasuredtogether with theloads, which generatedthecrackingof the beam of dimensions180 mm×240 mm×3100 mm.Displacement were performed using a linear variable displacement transducer, and strain gauges were used to measure deformations. Finally, the applied load’s measurements were obtained with a load cell Pinzuar/Model-100/20T equipment.The physical-mechanical properties of the concreteused were determined through compressive strength tests at 28 days and modulus of elasticity.For this purpose, a load-bearing frame was used to support the beam at three points for load application.The data was collected directly on the Quantum/X2 equipment and analyzed with the help of the Catman/AP software.The maximum deformations found in the bending test at three point since there inforced concrete beam we are not greater than 8483µm/mm,presenting a failure in the center of the beam due to the creep of the tensile steel for a maximum load of 3115 Kg.Finally,the physical behavior of there inforced concrete beam with applying aload allows evaluating and optimizing this kind of systems.