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Abstract Due to technology and research development on concrete compressive strength over the last years, the use of light-weight concrete (LWC) has proved to be most popular in terms of economy, superior strength, stiffness, and durability. This experimental research work was conducted to study the shear behavior of reinforced Light-Weight Concrete (LWC) and Normal-Weight Concrete (NWC) simply supported deep beams with and without web openings under the effect of one vertical concentrated load. The test program included nine Light-Weight reinforced concrete deep beams and four Normal-Weight deep beams. All specimens with an overall cross-section of (80 x 400 mm.) and length of deep beams (1100,1580 and 1900 mm). There is one Light-Weight concrete specimen without web opening and the twelve-remaining light and normal weight concrete specimens with web openings. the openings developed in different three locations in shear span zone, openings dimensions are (80 x 80 and 140 x 80 mm), number of openings one or two openings in shear span zone. The main reinforcement of all deep beams was kept constant and equal to 4 Ø 16 and top steel 2 Ø 10 for all specimens. The main variables of this study the size and position of the opening, the concrete type, and span-to-depth ratio. The general deformational behavior of the tested deep beams was examined and reported (cracking, crack propagation patterns, deformations, strains of steel). The results indicated that the presence of web openings (equal to 20% and 40 % of the total web height, respectively) in the load path leads to a reduction in the ultimate shear strength of LWC simple deep beams by about 10% to 59 % when compared with a similar beam without opening. A theoretical study was performed using Strut-and-Tie Models and the results were compared with experimental results. The results of this experimental work were combined with some other available information to formulate some recommendations for designers and researchers concerning the analysis, design, and construction of Light-Weight concrete elements. The observed behavior of the Light-Weight concrete specimens up to failure greatly encourages the use of Light-Weight concrete in all structural elements. |