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Abstract In spite of the great development in the field of construction, very little information exists on the behavior of RC beams with web opening under the effect of torsional moments. The objective of this research work is to shed lights on the behavior of reinforced concrete beams with web openings and to give recommendations on the position and detailing of reinforcement around these openings under the effect of torsional moments. To achieve the objectives eight reinforced concrete beams specimens were designed, casted and experimentally tested under flexure and torsion monotonically increasing moments. The main variables were width to depth ratio of the reinforced concrete beams, opening length, opening height, and torsion reinforcement ratio. The tested specimens were six reinforced concrete beams with varied web opening sizes and varied beam widths, one reinforced concrete beam without web opening and one reinforced concrete beam without vertical stirrups. These specimens were subjected to torsional and flexural moments increasing to failure. During testing, rotation, deflection, strains in concrete, main reinforcement, and shear reinforcement were monitored. Further, cracking behavior and failure loads were observed. Results show that web opening dramatically affected the torsional capacity of reinforced concrete beams. Effect of web opening height was more pronounced than that of the web opening length. The additional reinforcement detailing and intensity around the web opening significantly affect torsional capacity of reinforced concrete beams. The research assessed the applicability of current local and international codes to the design of beams with web openings in the light of the experimental test results. Finally, the research provided recommendations and guidelines that help the design engineer detail reinforced concrete beams with web openings. |