Influence of link spacing on concrete shear capacity: Experimental investigations and finite element studies

This paper investigates the influence of varying the spacing of shear reinforcement on the response of six geometrically identical reinforced concrete beams. Each beam was designed with differing longitudinal and transverse reinforcement configurations to provide improved understanding of the importance of providing sufficient shear reinforcement following guidance provided in Eurocode 2. Three different cases of varying transverse reinforcements were tested: one without the presence of shear reinforcement, one with shear reinforcement non-compliant to the design provisions and one where the design of the beams fully complies with the design guidance. In order to verify the experimental results, an open source digital image correlation software was utilised to allow for a computational crack mapping, along with the use of nonlinear finite element analysis software to enable a more thorough investigation of the individual beam response. The results obtained highlighted that shear links non-compliant to Eurocode 2 consequently led to unpredictable modes of failure, whereas beams containing shear links at the required amount and spacings displayed significant improvements in the mode of failure and ductility. Beams with the omittance of shear links resulted in the lowest load capacity, due to the sudden, brittle shear failure.