Shear behaviour of high strength self-compacting concrete with varying stirrup spacing

Abstract

One of the most important advantages of using self-compacting concrete (SCC) in construction over normal concrete (NC) is the flowability. High strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC) have less coarse aggregate content and also the maximum size of aggregate is limited as compared to NC for the same class of strength. And hence, there is a reduction in aggregate interlock in SCC compared to NC, affecting the shear capacity of slender beams and thus, SCC might have lower shear strength. In the present research work, a total of 18 numbers of HSSCC slender beams, six beams for each grade, i.e., 70 MPa, 80 MPa and 90 MPa, with transverse reinforcement were tested to understand the shear behaviour. All the beams were provided with stirrups at a spacing of 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 175 mm and 200 mm. Shear reinforcement index, ρwfy, were selected such that they are in the range of ρw,minfy as per international codes. Experimental test results of HSSCC beams are compared with NC beams for different stirrups spacing. The results are also compared with different code provisions.